Belt assemblies for absorbent articles

An absorbent article comprising:

• a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis further comprising a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region by a crotch region;
• a first belt connected with the first end region of the chassis;
• a second belt connected with the second end region of the chassis, wherein laterally opposing end portions of the second belt are connected with laterally opposing end portions of the first belt to form a waist opening;
• wherein at least one of the first belt and the second belt comprises:
• a distal edge;
• an elastic material positioned between and connected with a first substrate and a second substrate, the elastic material comprising a first plurality of elastic strands positioned between and connected with the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first plurality of elastic strands comprises an Average-Strand-Spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an Average-Dtex from about 10 to about 500;
• wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate comprises a proximal edge extending across the backsheet;
• wherein the first substrate and the second substrate each comprise a wearer facing surface, a garment facing surface;
• and
• a panel layer connected with the garment facing surface of the second substrate, the panel layer comprising a first lateral edge extending along a portion of the waist opening and a second lateral edge, wherein the first lateral edge is positioned longitudinally outboard of the second lateral edge, wherein the first lateral edge of the panel layer is positioned longitudinally outboard of the distal edge of at least one of the first belt and the second belt, and wherein the panel layer is a laminate comprising a second elastic material.