Gateway TruAir 80301 N95 Respirator Review — Honest Buyer's Guide to the Pleated N95

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 a good pleated N95?

Published June 19, 2026 · Last updated July 27, 2026

Short answer: For roomier breathing in a value mask, yes. The Gateway Safety TruAir 80301 is a pleated NIOSH N95, unvented, that expands for a comfortable breathing area at a value price. It is a sensible alternative to a basic cup for general non-oil dust; the vented 80302V adds a valve for heat.

Gateway Safety TruAir 80301 N95 Respirator Review (2026)

The Gateway TruAir 80301 is Gateway's pleated, value N95. This review covers where it fits the flat-fold respirators and N95 respirators ranges. Ratings background is in our complete disposable respirator & N95 mask guide.

Editorial verdict — 4.1/5
The Gateway TruAir 80301 is a value pleated N95: the pleats expand for a roomier breathing feel than a flat panel, unvented for source control, at a budget price. A comfortable everyday pick for non-oil dust.VIEW ON WC SAFETY →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.

Who it is for

• Value everyday dust with roomier breathing than a flat panel
• Source-control settings (unvented)
• Buyers comparing value flat-fold respirators

What the Gateway TruAir 80301 does well

Pleated breathing room

The expanding pleats give a roomier feel than a flat panel, comfortable for an N95 at a value price. See respirator filter types explained.

Unvented

Usable for source control where exhaled air must also be filtered.

Value

A budget pleated option from a U.S. brand.

Unvented seal you can verify

Because the 80301 has no exhalation valve, every breath in and out passes through the media, which is what makes it usable for source control as well as personal protection. The pleated panel folds flat for storage and pops open into a three-panel breathing chamber that follows the contours of the face, so the seal is easier to confirm than on a stiff cup that bridges over the cheeks. Dual head straps and a foam-backed aluminum nose clip let you tune tension top and bottom rather than relying on one band, and the soft inner panel sits comfortably against the chin during a full shift. For a value mask in the flat-fold respirators range, that combination of roomy breathing and a verifiable seal is the 80301 strong suit.

Where the Gateway TruAir 80301 falls short

No valve

For heat, the vented TruAir 80302V is the sibling.

Non-oil only

N95 is not oil-rated; use R95 or P100 for oil mist.

Less plush than premium

The 3M Aura is more comfortable for more money.

Fit, sizing and seal on the Gateway TruAir 80301

The 80301 is a one-size pleated N95, and pleated masks reward a careful don: open all of the pleats fully before fitting so the panel forms a complete chamber, then shape the nose clip with two hands rather than pinching it with one finger, which leaves a channel that leaks. Seal it on a clean-shaven face and run a user seal check every time by covering the panel and exhaling gently to feel for edge leakage, then inhaling to confirm the panel draws slightly inward. The expanding shape adapts to a wider range of face widths than a rigid cup, which is part of why pleated and flat-fold designs often fit faces that struggle with a fixed cup. For OSHA-regulated use the 80301 still requires a documented fit test and medical evaluation; our how to fit test a respirator guide walks through QLFT and QNFT, the respirator sizing guide covers measurement-to-size, and respirator with a beard explains why facial hair across the seal fails.

Gateway TruAir 80301 vs the competition

Compare prices on Amazon →Gateway 80301Gateway 80302V3M 9105

When to step up from the Gateway TruAir 80301

Want a valve? The TruAir 80302V. A molded cup instead? The PeakFit 80101. Oil mist? An R95. Ranked picks in our best N95 respirators guide.

Category context

The TruAir 80301 is a value pleated N95 in the disposable respirators range. Flat-fold vs cup is in our disposable respirator guide and N95 vs KN95 vs P100.

Total cost of ownership

A value consumable. Replace when soiled, damaged, or hard to breathe through (see can you reuse an N95?). For daily wear, weigh a reusable half mask.

The real cost of any disposable respirator is cost per worker per shift, not the sticker price on the box. For intermittent dust work, a contractor passing through, or a facility that issues masks to occasional visitors, the 80301 is inexpensive enough that a single box covers weeks of use. The pleated form factor is also a quiet storage advantage: the masks ship and stack flat, so they take less shelf space and travel better in a tool bag than bulky cups, which matters when a crew carries respirators across job sites. Where the economics tip toward a reusable half mask is sustained, all-day wear by the same person, day after day, where the recurring cost of consumables overtakes the up-front price of an elastomeric facepiece within a few weeks. Whichever route you choose, get the most out of each 80301 by inspecting it before every don, replacing it the moment it is soiled, damaged, or harder to breathe through, and storing boxes flat, dry, and away from sunlight so the straps and nose foam do not age before use.

Best use cases for the Gateway TruAir 80301

The 80301 fits everyday non-oil dust where you want roomier breathing than a flat panel and, because it is unvented, where exhaled air must also be filtered: general construction and renovation, sanding and grinding cleanup, sweeping, bagging and material handling, agricultural dust, and wildfire-smoke days where a sealed N95 is the standard for particulate. The unvented design is exactly what makes it appropriate for source-control settings that a valved mask would disqualify. It is the wrong tool for hot work where heat buildup is the main complaint, where the valved sibling 80302V is the better pick, and it is the wrong class altogether for oil mist, solvents, or vapors, which call for an R95 or P100. Buyers who prefer a molded cup over a pleat should look at the PeakFit 80101. For ranked alternatives across the category, see our best N95 respirators guide.

Final verdict

The Gateway TruAir 80301 earns 4.1/5 — a value pleated N95 with roomy breathing. Buy it for everyday dust; choose the 80302V for a valve, or up to R95/P100 for oil and heavy hazards.

VIEW ON WC SAFETY →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Gateway TruAir 80301 FAQ

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 NIOSH-approved?

Yes — a NIOSH N95 under 42 CFR Part 84, 95% minimum non-oil filtration.

Gateway TruAir 80301 vs 80302V — what is the difference?

The 80302V adds an exhalation valve for cooler breathing; the 80302V suits hot work, the unvented 80301 suits source control.

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 a flat-fold?

It is a pleated design that expands for roomier breathing, similar in spirit to a flat-fold.

Can you reuse the Gateway TruAir 80301?

Single-use with limited reuse when constrained; discard when soiled, damaged, or hard to breathe through. See can you reuse an N95?.

Does the Gateway TruAir 80301 require fit testing?

Yes for OSHA-regulated use — medical evaluation, annual fit test, and seal check per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134.

Can I wear the Gateway TruAir 80301 with a beard?

No — facial hair across the seal fails the fit test; clean-shaven along the seal is required, or use a PAPR.

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 good for wildfire smoke?

Yes — a well-fitted N95 is the standard for smoke particulates; ensure a clean-shaven seal. It does not remove gases.

Does the Gateway TruAir 80301 protect against oil?

No — N95 is non-oil; use R95 or P100 for oil mist.

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 good for silica?

An N95 is the NIOSH minimum for silica with controls under OSHA 1926.1153; step to P100 for high exposure. See silica dust respirators.

How long does the Gateway TruAir 80301 last?

No fixed hours — replace at end of task or when dirty, damaged, or breathing resistance rises.

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 a surgical N95?

No — it is an industrial N95 without FDA clearance. See surgical N95 respirators.

What does the Gateway TruAir 80301 NOT protect against?

Oil mist, gases and vapors, asbestos, low-oxygen atmospheres, and anything needing more than 95% filtration.

Gateway TruAir 80301 vs PeakFit 80101 — which?

The TruAir 80301 is pleated for roomier breathing; the PeakFit 80101 is a molded cup. Choose by fit and comfort preference.

Who makes the Gateway TruAir 80301?

Gateway Safety, a U.S. personal protective equipment manufacturer.

Is the Gateway TruAir 80301 good value?

Yes — it offers pleated breathing comfort at a budget price, its main appeal versus premium flat-folds.

How do I get a good seal with the pleated Gateway TruAir 80301?

Open every pleat fully before fitting so the panel forms a complete breathing chamber, shape the nose clip with two hands over the bridge of the nose, then run a user seal check by exhaling to feel for edge leaks and inhaling to confirm the panel pulls slightly inward. Re-seat the nose clip if your safety glasses fog.

Gateway TruAir 80301 vs 3M 9105 VFlex — which value flat-fold?

Both are unvented, value-priced, fold-flat N95s. The 3M 9105 VFlex uses a V-fold and 3M media with broad fit-test support; the 80301 uses an expanding pleat for a roomy breathing chamber. Choose by which shape seals best on your face, since fit beats brand at this price level.