A disk drive includes a disk drive housing having a breather hole formed through the disk drive housing. A breather filter is configured for attachment to the disk drive housing and for limiting and filtering airflow into the disk drive housing. The breather filter includes a breather filter housing portion having a breather filter housing surface that defines a filter housing hole. The filter housing hole is configured to align with the breather hole formed in the disk drive housing. A filter portion is fitted within the filter housing portion. A leveling layer is provided that defines a first leveling layer surface and a second leveling layer surface. The leveling layer is formed of a material that is impermeable to air. A first adhesive layer is provided to adhere the breather filter housing surface to the first leveling layer surface. A second adhesive layer 40 is also provided to adhere the second leveling layer surface to the disk drive housing. The leveling layer and the first and second adhesive layers further define respective openings that are aligned with the filter housing hole and the breather hole to collectively form a delimited and sealed airflow inlet to the disk drive.