Absorbent article with improved tear resistance and softness

A disposable absorbent article comprising:

• a) a chassis having a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region between the front waist region and the rear waist region, and a pair of longitudinal edges, the chassis comprising:
• i) a liquid permeable topsheet,
• ii) a backsheet comprising an outer cover and a polymeric film, wherein the outer cover has a pair of longitudinal edges and the polymeric film has a pair of longitudinal edges, and
• iii) an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet;
• and
• iv) a pair of barrier leg cuffs disposed in at least the crotch region, the barrier leg cuffs each having a proximal longitudinal edge and a distal longitudinal edge, wherein each barrier leg cuff is joined to the chassis by a bond,
• b) a shaped ear having a perimeter, a distal longitudinal edge, a proximal longitudinal edge, a distal less extensible region, a proximal less extensible region and a middle zone between the distal less extensible region and the proximal less extensible region, the ear comprising:
• i) an elastomeric material, and
• ii) a first substrate joined to the elastomeric material, and
• c) a fastening system comprising an engaging member having hooks, and a receiving member having a plurality of segmented elements that comprise loops to engage the hooks of the engaging member,
• wherein the distal edge of the shaped ear is shorter than the proximal edge of the shaped ear,
• wherein the distal less extensible region of the shaped ear has a lower extensibility in a lateral direction than the middle zone,
• wherein at least a portion of the shaped ear extends laterally outward from one of the longitudinal edges of the chassis in the front waist region or the rear waist region,
• wherein within the proximal less extensible region, the shaped ear is joined to the barrier leg cuff of the chassis and within the distal less extensible region, the engaging member of the fastening system is joined to the shaped ear by at least one mechanical bond that engages the elastomeric material and the first substrate, and
• wherein the proximal less extensible region of the shaped ear is inboard of the longitudinal edge of the outer cover, the longitudinal edge of the polymeric film and the distal longitudinal edge of the barrier leg cuff.