The present disclosure relates to absorbent garments having a dryness layer that can comprise one or more laminates and one or more channels to facilitate liquid acquisition and retention. Laminate(s) can include an absorbent lamina disposed between substrate laminae, each comprising tissue and/or a nonwoven. Some dryness layers can have a folded laminate that defines a longitudinally-extending channel. Some dryness layers can have two or more laminate strips that are laterally spaced apart along a width of the dryness layer such that one or more longitudinally-extending channels are defined therebetween.