A high loft, nonwoven web is disclosed having a three dimensional structure with fibers oriented in the x, y and z directions. The web has a fiber size distribution of from 0 μm to about 15 μm with at least about 25% of the fibers being above 4 μm. The web has a thickness of less than about 250 millimeters and a basis weight ranging from about 20 g/m2 to about 3,000 g/m2. The web also has a vertical cross-section, when taken parallel to a machine direction, exhibiting a plurality of snugly stacked, approximately V, U or C-shaped structures, with each V, U or C-shaped structure having an apex facing in the machine direction. The web further has a recovery value ranging from about 20% to about 99% after being compressed under a pressure of 0.25 psi for a time period of 30 minutes.