FILTER WITH SHIELD FEATURES

Filters and filter assemblies including one or more shield elements to protect the filter media of the filters during installation of the filters into a filter housing of the filter assembly are provided. A filter includes first and second media packs, a housing seal system, a handle and a shield element. Filter media packs extend from a first end to a second end in a diverging manner. The first end has a length dimension and a width dimension that extend transversely. A shield element projects over the first and second media packs at the first end a span in the width direction of at least 40% of the width dimension defined by the first and second media packs and projecting a span in the length direction of at least 5% of the length dimension defined by the first end.