Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous web comprising a plurality of structural elements with interstitial spaces therebetween, wherein at least some of the structural elements of the top and bottom surfaces of the web are encapsulated by a cured, shear thinned polymer composition and most of the interstitial spaces are open. The invention also relates to a porous web having a substantially continuous region of a cured, shear thinned polymer composition extending through the web so that the polymer composition fills the interstitial spaces and adheres adjacent structural elements of the web in the region. In the areas of the web above and below the filled region, at least some of the structural elements are encapsulated and most of the interstitial spaces are open.