Abstract: Gate valve embodiments, including assemblies, seats and seals, kits, and associated methods, are provided to improve operational performance by a reduction of particle intrusion at associated seals. In an embodiment, a gate valve has an actuator, a gate connected to the actuator, a valve body, and a valve seat with a debris protection seal thereon and one or more debris cavities therein. The valve seat is positioned in a bore of the valve body. The debris protection seal is positioned in a seal recess of the valve seat to contact a distal radial wall of the bore to elongate a debris path, thereby to reduce debris migration to the bore that causes leaks. The debris cavities are positioned in a distal surface of the valve seat to capture debris that has migrated through the debris protection seal, further reducing debris migration to the bore that causes valve leaks.