An absorbent article with a longitudinal direction and a lateral cross-direction has been patented. It is comprised of a liquid permeable topsheet layer and a substantially liquid impermeable backsheet layer surrounding an absorbent retention portion. The retention portion includes a wet-formed mixture of fibers and superabsorbent materials and the retention portion has an Edge-wise Compression value of not more than a maximum of about 9 g/gsm and a Modified Circular Bend value of at least 0.3 g/gsm. The retention portion has been mechanically softened.