A hook strip is provided having a backing with a first surface and a length in a first direction; multiple rows of hook elements aligned in the first direction and projecting from the first surface of the backing; and slits in the backing between at least some pairs of adjacent rows of the hook elements. The slits may be interrupted by a bridging region of the backing, or the slits may be partial slits that penetrate the thickness of the backing in a range from 40 to 90 percent. A fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the hook strip described above joined to the carrier is also provided. In some embodiments, the fastening laminate includes slits that form separate, abutting portions of the backing on the carrier. An absorbent article containing the hook strip and a method of making the hook strip are also disclosed.