The present invention provides a substrate having a unidirectional water transport property, the substrate comprised of a fluid permeable structure and including: an inner side surface; and an outer side surface having a higher absorbent capacity than the inner side surface, wherein the inner side surface has a hydrophobic surface layer extending continuously over at least one section thereof, thehydrophobic surface layer having a predetermined thickness which, in use, produces a substantial hydrophobic property to contacting water, whilst allowing for water contacting the inner side surfaceof the substrate to wick through the hydrophobic surface layer into the substrate; and wherein the substrate is respectively comprised of hydrophobic channels and hydrophilic channels which respectively extend between the inner side surface and the outer side surface.