Abstract: A fluid liquid acquisition/transfer layer in an absorbent article, such as a diaper, pant diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin, panty liner or the like. The fluid acquisition/transfer layer includes a mixture of heat-shrunk, spiralized, thermoplastic multicomponent, preferably bicomponent, functional fibers of 3.4 dtex or more. The components of the functional fibers each have different shrinkage properties and are located in a side-by-side relationship for creating the spiralized shape of the functional fibers. The fluid acquisition/transfer layer also includes bonding fibers that bond to each other through heat treatment while the functional fibers do not bond to each other during heat treatment.