diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e3def1c6..43818148 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 1.0.0-b39
 
+* Use beast::string_view alias
+
 WebSocket:
 
 * Add websocket async echo ssl server test:
diff --git a/doc/quickref.xml b/doc/quickref.xml
index 7c126f81..0463d753 100644
--- a/doc/quickref.xml
+++ b/doc/quickref.xml
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@
             <member><link linkend="beast.ref.static_buffer">static_buffer</link></member>
             <member><link linkend="beast.ref.static_buffer_n">static_buffer_n</link></member>
             <member><link linkend="beast.ref.static_string">static_string</link></member>
+            <member><link linkend="beast.ref.string_view">string_view</link></member>
             <member><link linkend="beast.ref.system_error">system_error</link></member>
           </simplelist>
         </entry>
diff --git a/include/beast/core/detail/ci_char_traits.hpp b/include/beast/core/detail/ci_char_traits.hpp
index 07fecc81..da8bc3cd 100644
--- a/include/beast/core/detail/ci_char_traits.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/core/detail/ci_char_traits.hpp
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 #ifndef BEAST_DETAIL_CI_CHAR_TRAITS_HPP
 #define BEAST_DETAIL_CI_CHAR_TRAITS_HPP
 
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <boost/range/algorithm/equal.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 
 namespace beast {
 namespace detail {
@@ -42,10 +42,10 @@ tolower(signed char c)
 
 template<std::size_t N>
 inline
-boost::string_ref
+string_view
 string_helper(const char (&s)[N])
 {
-    return boost::string_ref{s, N-1};
+    return string_view{s, N-1};
 }
 
 template<class T>
diff --git a/include/beast/core/detail/static_string.hpp b/include/beast/core/detail/static_string.hpp
index fe3ee177..dbd92df1 100644
--- a/include/beast/core/detail/static_string.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/core/detail/static_string.hpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 #ifndef BEAST_DETAIL_STATIC_STRING_HPP
 #define BEAST_DETAIL_STATIC_STRING_HPP
 
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <iterator>
 #include <type_traits>
 
diff --git a/include/beast/core/impl/static_string.ipp b/include/beast/core/impl/static_string.ipp
index 14aa968a..4eec94fd 100644
--- a/include/beast/core/impl/static_string.ipp
+++ b/include/beast/core/impl/static_string.ipp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ static_string(std::initializer_list<CharT> init)
 
 template<std::size_t N, class CharT, class Traits>
 static_string<N, CharT, Traits>::
-static_string(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> sv)
+static_string(string_view_type sv)
 {
     assign(sv);
 }
@@ -188,12 +188,10 @@ template<class T>
 auto
 static_string<N, CharT, Traits>::
 assign(T const& t, size_type pos, size_type count) ->
-    typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T, boost::basic_string_ref<
-            CharT, Traits>>::value, static_string&>::type
+    typename std::enable_if<std::is_convertible<T,
+        string_view_type>::value, static_string&>::type
 {
-    auto const sv = boost::basic_string_ref<
-        CharT, Traits>(t).substr(pos, count);
+    auto const sv = string_view_type(t).substr(pos, count);
     if(sv.size() > max_size())
         throw detail::make_exception<std::length_error>(
             "sv.size() > max_size()", __FILE__, __LINE__);
@@ -352,14 +350,13 @@ auto
 static_string<N, CharT, Traits>::
 insert(size_type index, const T& t,
         size_type index_str, size_type count) ->
-    typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T const&,
-            boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>>::value &&
+    typename std::enable_if<std::is_convertible<
+        T const&, string_view_type>::value &&
         ! std::is_convertible<T const&, CharT const*>::value,
             static_string&>::type
 {
-    auto const str = boost::basic_string_ref<
-        CharT, Traits>(t).substr(index_str, count);
+    auto const str =
+        string_view_type(t).substr(index_str, count);
     return insert(index, str.data(), str.size());
 }
 
@@ -424,16 +421,17 @@ append(static_string<M, CharT, Traits> const& str,
     if(pos >= str.size())
         throw detail::make_exception<std::out_of_range>(
             "pos > str.size()", __FILE__, __LINE__);
-    boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> const ss{
-        &str.s_[pos], (std::min)(count, str.size() - pos)};
+    string_view_type const ss{&str.s_[pos],
+        (std::min)(count, str.size() - pos)};
     insert(size(), ss.data(), ss.size());
     return *this;
 }
 
 template<std::size_t N, class CharT, class Traits>
-boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>
+auto
 static_string<N, CharT, Traits>::
-substr(size_type pos, size_type count) const
+substr(size_type pos, size_type count) const ->
+    string_view_type
 {
     if(pos > size())
         throw detail::make_exception<std::out_of_range>(
diff --git a/include/beast/core/static_string.hpp b/include/beast/core/static_string.hpp
index 73d051af..1bd359e5 100644
--- a/include/beast/core/static_string.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/core/static_string.hpp
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
 #define BEAST_STATIC_STRING_HPP
 
 #include <beast/config.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/static_string.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <initializer_list>
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ public:
     using const_reverse_iterator =
         std::reverse_iterator<const_iterator>;
 
+    /// The type of `string_view` returned by the interface
+    using string_view_type =
+        beast::basic_string_view<CharT, Traits>;
+
     //
     // Constants
     //
@@ -123,23 +127,21 @@ public:
     /// Construct from an initializer list
     static_string(std::initializer_list<CharT> init);
 
-    /// Construct from a `basic_string_ref`
+    /// Construct from a `string_view`
     explicit
-    static_string(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> sv);
+    static_string(string_view_type sv);
 
-    /** Construct from any object convertible to `basic_string_ref`.
+    /** Construct from any object convertible to `string_view_type`.
 
         The range (pos, n) is extracted from the value
-        obtained by converting `t` to `basic_string_ref`,
+        obtained by converting `t` to `string_view_type`,
         and used to construct the string.
     */
 #if BEAST_DOXYGEN
     template<class T>
 #else
-    template<class T,
-        class = typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T, boost::basic_string_ref<
-            CharT, Traits>> ::value>::type>
+    template<class T, class = typename std::enable_if<
+        std::is_convertible<T, string_view_type>::value>::type>
 #endif
     static_string(T const& t, size_type pos, size_type n);
 
@@ -184,9 +186,9 @@ public:
         return assign(init);
     }
 
-    /// Assign from `basic_string_ref`.
+    /// Assign from `string_view_type`.
     static_string&
-    operator=(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> sv)
+    operator=(string_view_type sv)
     {
         return assign(sv);
     }
@@ -240,26 +242,25 @@ public:
         return assign(init.begin(), init.end());
     }
 
-    /// Assign from `basic_string_ref`.
+    /// Assign from `string_view_type`.
     static_string&
-    assign(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> str)
+    assign(string_view_type str)
     {
         return assign(str.data(), str.size());
     }
 
-    /** Assign from any object convertible to `basic_string_ref`.
+    /** Assign from any object convertible to `string_view_type`.
 
         The range (pos, n) is extracted from the value
-        obtained by converting `t` to `basic_string_ref`,
+        obtained by converting `t` to `string_view_type`,
         and used to assign the string.
     */
     template<class T>
 #if BEAST_DOXYGEN
     static_string&
 #else
-    typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T, boost::basic_string_ref<
-            CharT, Traits>>::value, static_string&>::type
+    typename std::enable_if<std::is_convertible<T,
+        string_view_type>::value, static_string&>::type
 #endif
     assign(T const& t,
         size_type pos, size_type count = npos);
@@ -339,10 +340,8 @@ public:
         return data();
     }
 
-    // VFALCO What about boost::string_view?
-    //
-    /// Convert a static string to a `static_string_ref`
-    operator boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>() const
+    /// Convert a static string to a `string_view_type`
+    operator string_view_type() const
     {
         return boost::basic_string_ref<
             CharT, Traits>{data(), size()};
@@ -552,8 +551,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     static_string&
-    insert(size_type index,
-        boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> str)
+    insert(size_type index, string_view_type str)
     {
         return insert(index, str.data(), str.size());
     }
@@ -563,8 +561,7 @@ public:
     static_string&
 #else
     typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T const&,
-            boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>>::value &&
+        std::is_convertible<T const&, string_view_type>::value &&
         ! std::is_convertible<T const&, CharT const*>::value,
             static_string&>::type
 #endif
@@ -645,7 +642,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     static_string&
-    append(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> sv)
+    append(string_view_type sv)
     {
         insert(size(), sv);
         return *this;
@@ -653,8 +650,7 @@ public:
 
     template<class T>
     typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T const&,
-            boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>>::value &&
+        std::is_convertible<T const&, string_view_type>::value &&
         ! std::is_convertible<T const&, CharT const*>::value,
             static_string&>::type
     append(T const& t, size_type pos, size_type count = npos)
@@ -690,7 +686,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     static_string&
-    operator+=(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> const& str)
+    operator+=(string_view_type const& str)
     {
         return append(str);
     }
@@ -746,7 +742,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     int
-    compare(boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> str) const
+    compare(string_view_type str) const
     {
         return detail::lexicographical_compare<CharT, Traits>(
             &s_[0], n_, str.data(), str.size());
@@ -754,7 +750,7 @@ public:
 
     int
     compare(size_type pos1, size_type count1,
-        boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits> str) const
+        string_view_type str) const
     {
         return detail::lexicographical_compare<CharT, Traits>(
             substr(pos1, count1), str);
@@ -765,8 +761,7 @@ public:
     int
 #else
     typename std::enable_if<
-        std::is_convertible<T const&,
-            boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>>::value &&
+        std::is_convertible<T const&, string_view_type>::value &&
         ! std::is_convertible<T const&, CharT const*>::value,
             int>::type
 #endif
@@ -775,11 +770,10 @@ public:
             size_type count2 = npos) const
     {
         return compare(pos1, count1,
-            boost::basic_string_ref<
-                CharT, Traits>(t).substr(pos2, count2));
+            string_view_type(t).substr(pos2, count2));
     }
 
-    boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>
+    string_view_type
     substr(size_type pos = 0, size_type count = npos) const;
 
     /// Copy a substring (pos, pos+count) to character string pointed to by `dest`.
@@ -1101,7 +1095,7 @@ operator<<(std::basic_ostream<CharT, Traits>& os,
     static_string<N, CharT, Traits> const& str)
 {
     return os << static_cast<
-        boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>>(str);
+        beast::basic_string_view<CharT, Traits>>(str);
 }
 
 } // beast
diff --git a/include/beast/core/string_view.hpp b/include/beast/core/string_view.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fbe905e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/beast/core/string_view.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+//
+// Copyright (c) 2013-2017 Vinnie Falco (vinnie dot falco at gmail dot com)
+//
+// Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
+// file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
+//
+
+#ifndef BEAST_STRING_VIEW_HPP
+#define BEAST_STRING_VIEW_HPP
+
+#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
+
+namespace beast {
+
+/// The type of string_view used by the library
+using string_view = boost::string_ref;
+
+/// The type of basic_string_view used by the library
+template<class CharT, class Traits>
+using basic_string_view =
+    boost::basic_string_ref<CharT, Traits>;
+
+} // beast
+
+#endif
diff --git a/include/beast/http/basic_parser.hpp b/include/beast/http/basic_parser.hpp
index 4df1663b..d2ea5677 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/basic_parser.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/basic_parser.hpp
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@
 
 #include <beast/config.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/error.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/http/detail/basic_parser.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/buffer.hpp>
 #include <boost/optional.hpp>
 #include <boost/assert.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <memory>
 #include <utility>
 
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ enum class parse_state
         //
         void
         on_request(
-            boost::string_ref const& method,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+            string_view const& method,
+            string_view const& target,
             int version,
             error_code& ec);
 
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ enum class parse_state
         void
         on_response(
             int status,
-            boost::string_ref const& reason,
+            string_view const& reason,
             int version,
             error_code& ec);
 
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ enum class parse_state
         //
         void
         on_field(
-            boost::string_ref const& name,
-            boost::string_ref const& value,
+            string_view const& name,
+            string_view const& value,
             error_code& ec);
 
         // Called after the header is complete.
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ enum class parse_state
         //
         void
         on_data(
-            boost::string_ref const& s,
+            string_view const& s,
             error_code& ec);
 
         // Called zero or more times to retrieve a mutable
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ enum class parse_state
         void
         on_chunk(
             std::uint64_t length,           // Length of this chunk
-            boost::string_ref const& ext,   // The chunk extensions, if any
+            string_view const& ext,   // The chunk extensions, if any
             error_code& ec);
 
         // Called once when the message is complete.
@@ -250,8 +250,8 @@ class basic_parser
     std::size_t x_;         // scratch variable
     unsigned f_ = 0;        // flags
     parse_state state_ = parse_state::header;
-    boost::string_ref ext_;
-    boost::string_ref body_;
+    string_view ext_;
+    string_view body_;
 
 public:
     /// Copy constructor (disallowed)
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ public:
         buffer's `consume` function may invalidate this return
         value.
     */
-    boost::string_ref const&
+    string_view const&
     body() const
     {
         // This function not available when isDirect==true
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ public:
         buffer's `consume` function may invalidate this return
         value.
     */
-    boost::string_ref const&
+    string_view const&
     chunk_extension() const
     {
         // This function not available when isDirect==true
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ private:
     }
 
     template<class ConstBufferSequence>
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     maybe_flatten(
         ConstBufferSequence const& buffers);
 
@@ -595,8 +595,8 @@ private:
 
     void
     do_field(
-        boost::string_ref const& name,
-            boost::string_ref const& value,
+        string_view const& name,
+            string_view const& value,
                 error_code& ec);
 
     std::size_t
diff --git a/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parsed_list.hpp b/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parsed_list.hpp
index 596cd558..5f75790b 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parsed_list.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parsed_list.hpp
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 #ifndef BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_BASIC_PARSED_LIST_HPP
 #define BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_BASIC_PARSED_LIST_HPP
 
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/empty_base_optimization.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <iterator>
 
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ namespace detail {
 template<class Policy>
 class basic_parsed_list
 {
-    boost::string_ref s_;
+    string_view s_;
 
 public:
     /// The type of policy this list uses for parsing.
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public:
 
     /// Construct a list from a string
     explicit
-    basic_parsed_list(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    basic_parsed_list(string_view const& s)
         : s_(s)
     {
     }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parser.hpp b/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parser.hpp
index 254694de..5a78d02c 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parser.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/detail/basic_parser.hpp
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@
 #ifndef BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_BASIC_PARSER_HPP
 #define BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_BASIC_PARSER_HPP
 
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/ci_char_traits.hpp>
 #include <beast/http/error.hpp>
 #include <beast/http/detail/rfc7230.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <boost/version.hpp>
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <utility>
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ protected:
     }
 
     static
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     make_string(char const* first, char const* last)
     {
         return {first, static_cast<
@@ -197,8 +197,8 @@ protected:
     template<class = void>
     static
     bool
-    strieq(boost::string_ref const& s1,
-        boost::string_ref const& s2)
+    strieq(string_view const& s1,
+        string_view const& s2)
     {
         if(s1.size() != s2.size())
             return false;
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ protected:
     template<std::size_t N>
     bool
     strieq(const char (&s1)[N],
-        boost::string_ref const& s2)
+        string_view const& s2)
     {
         return strieq({s1, N-1}, s2);
     }
@@ -272,19 +272,19 @@ protected:
     }
 
     static
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     parse_method(char const*& it)
     {
         auto const first = it;
         while(detail::is_tchar(*it))
             ++it;
         return {first, static_cast<
-            boost::string_ref::size_type>(
+            string_view::size_type>(
                 it - first)};
     }
 
     static
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     parse_target(char const*& it)
     {
         auto const first = it;
@@ -293,19 +293,19 @@ protected:
         if(*it != ' ')
             return {};
         return {first, static_cast<
-            boost::string_ref::size_type>(
+            string_view::size_type>(
                 it - first)};
     }
 
     static
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     parse_name(char const*& it)
     {
         auto const first = it;
         while(to_field_char(*it))
             ++it;
         return {first, static_cast<
-            boost::string_ref::size_type>(
+            string_view::size_type>(
                 it - first)};
     }
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ protected:
     }
     
     static
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     parse_reason(char const*& it)
     {
         auto const first = it;
diff --git a/include/beast/http/detail/fields.hpp b/include/beast/http/detail/fields.hpp
index 60af3872..906f3cc3 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/detail/fields.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/detail/fields.hpp
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@
 #ifndef BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_FIELDS_HPP
 #define BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_FIELDS_HPP
 
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/ci_char_traits.hpp>
 #include <boost/intrusive/list.hpp>
 #include <boost/intrusive/set.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 
 namespace beast {
 namespace http {
@@ -29,20 +29,20 @@ public:
         std::string first;
         std::string second;
 
-        value_type(boost::string_ref const& name_,
-                boost::string_ref const& value_)
+        value_type(string_view const& name_,
+                string_view const& value_)
             : first(name_)
             , second(value_)
         {
         }
 
-        boost::string_ref
+        string_view
         name() const
         {
             return first;
         }
 
-        boost::string_ref
+        string_view
         value() const
         {
             return second;
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ protected:
     {
         value_type data;
 
-        element(boost::string_ref const& name,
-                boost::string_ref const& value)
+        element(string_view const& name,
+                string_view const& value)
             : data(name, value)
         {
         }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/detail/rfc7230.hpp b/include/beast/http/detail/rfc7230.hpp
index f5fba0a1..e60655e7 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/detail/rfc7230.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/detail/rfc7230.hpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 #ifndef BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_RFC7230_HPP
 #define BEAST_HTTP_DETAIL_RFC7230_HPP
 
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <iterator>
 #include <utility>
 
@@ -328,8 +328,8 @@ skip_token(FwdIt& it, FwdIt const& last)
 }
 
 inline
-boost::string_ref
-trim(boost::string_ref const& s)
+string_view
+trim(string_view const& s)
 {
     auto first = s.begin();
     auto last = s.end();
@@ -349,12 +349,12 @@ trim(boost::string_ref const& s)
 
 struct param_iter
 {
-    using iter_type = boost::string_ref::const_iterator;
+    using iter_type = string_view::const_iterator;
 
     iter_type it;
     iter_type first;
     iter_type last;
-    std::pair<boost::string_ref, boost::string_ref> v;
+    std::pair<string_view, string_view> v;
 
     bool
     empty() const
@@ -455,11 +455,11 @@ increment()
 */
 struct opt_token_list_policy
 {
-    using value_type = boost::string_ref;
+    using value_type = string_view;
 
     bool
     operator()(value_type& v,
-        char const*& it, boost::string_ref const& s) const
+        char const*& it, string_view const& s) const
     {
         v = {};
         auto need_comma = it != s.begin();
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ struct opt_token_list_policy
                     if(! detail::is_tchar(*it))
                         break;
                 }
-                v = boost::string_ref{&*p0,
+                v = string_view{&*p0,
                     static_cast<std::size_t>(it - p0)};
                 return true;
             }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/fields.hpp b/include/beast/http/fields.hpp
index 4fc0a2d5..c22b09ea 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/fields.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/fields.hpp
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
 #define BEAST_HTTP_FIELDS_HPP
 
 #include <beast/config.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/empty_base_optimization.hpp>
 #include <beast/http/detail/fields.hpp>
 #include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cctype>
 #include <memory>
@@ -195,14 +195,14 @@ public:
 
     /// Returns `true` if the specified field exists.
     bool
-    exists(boost::string_ref const& name) const
+    exists(string_view const& name) const
     {
         return set_.find(name, less{}) != set_.end();
     }
 
     /// Returns the number of values for the specified field.
     std::size_t
-    count(boost::string_ref const& name) const;
+    count(string_view const& name) const;
 
     /** Returns an iterator to the case-insensitive matching field name.
 
@@ -210,15 +210,15 @@ public:
         first field defined by insertion order is returned.
     */
     iterator
-    find(boost::string_ref const& name) const;
+    find(string_view const& name) const;
 
     /** Returns the value for a case-insensitive matching header, or `""`.
 
         If more than one field with the specified name exists, the
         first field defined by insertion order is returned.
     */
-    boost::string_ref const
-    operator[](boost::string_ref const& name) const;
+    string_view const
+    operator[](string_view const& name) const;
 
     /// Clear the contents of the basic_fields.
     void
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ public:
         @return The number of fields removed.
     */
     std::size_t
-    erase(boost::string_ref const& name);
+    erase(string_view const& name);
 
     /** Insert a field value.
 
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ public:
         @param value A string holding the value of the field.
     */
     void
-    insert(boost::string_ref const& name, boost::string_ref value);
+    insert(string_view const& name, string_view value);
 
     /** Insert a field value.
 
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ public:
     */
     template<class T>
     typename std::enable_if<
-        ! std::is_constructible<boost::string_ref, T>::value>::type
-    insert(boost::string_ref name, T const& value)
+        ! std::is_constructible<string_view, T>::value>::type
+    insert(string_view name, T const& value)
     {
         insert(name, boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(value));
     }
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ public:
         @param value A string holding the value of the field.
     */
     void
-    replace(boost::string_ref const& name, boost::string_ref value);
+    replace(string_view const& name, string_view value);
 
     /** Replace a field value.
 
@@ -292,8 +292,8 @@ public:
     */
     template<class T>
     typename std::enable_if<
-        ! std::is_constructible<boost::string_ref, T>::value>::type
-    replace(boost::string_ref const& name, T const& value)
+        ! std::is_constructible<string_view, T>::value>::type
+    replace(string_view const& name, T const& value)
     {
         replace(name,
             boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(value));
@@ -303,38 +303,38 @@ public:
 private:
 #endif
 
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     method() const
     {
         return (*this)[":method"];
     }
 
     void
-    method(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    method(string_view const& s)
     {
         return this->replace(":method", s);
     }
 
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     target() const
     {
         return (*this)[":target"];
     }
 
     void
-    target(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    target(string_view const& s)
     {
         return this->replace(":target", s);
     }
 
-    boost::string_ref
+    string_view
     reason() const
     {
         return (*this)[":reason"];
     }
 
     void
-    reason(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    reason(string_view const& s)
     {
         return this->replace(":reason", s);
     }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/header_parser.hpp b/include/beast/http/header_parser.hpp
index 3dc0c0d9..c4350a00 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/header_parser.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/header_parser.hpp
@@ -108,8 +108,8 @@ private:
 
     void
     on_request(
-        boost::string_ref const& method,
-            boost::string_ref const& path,
+        string_view const& method,
+            string_view const& path,
                 int version, error_code&)
     {
         h_.target(path);
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ private:
 
     void
     on_response(int status,
-        boost::string_ref const& reason,
+        string_view const& reason,
             int version, error_code&)
     {
         h_.status = status;
@@ -128,8 +128,8 @@ private:
     }
 
     void
-    on_field(boost::string_ref const& name,
-        boost::string_ref const& value,
+    on_field(string_view const& name,
+        string_view const& value,
             error_code&)
     {
         h_.fields.insert(name, value);
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ private:
     }
 
     void
-    on_data(boost::string_ref const& s,
+    on_data(string_view const& s,
         error_code& ec)
     {
     }
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ private:
 
     void
     on_chunk(std::uint64_t n,
-        boost::string_ref const& ext,
+        string_view const& ext,
             error_code& ec)
     {
     }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/impl/basic_parser.ipp b/include/beast/http/impl/basic_parser.ipp
index 533fed19..0070ebed 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/impl/basic_parser.ipp
+++ b/include/beast/http/impl/basic_parser.ipp
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ consume_body(error_code& ec)
 template<bool isRequest, bool isDirect, class Derived>
 template<class ConstBufferSequence>
 inline
-boost::string_ref
+string_view
 basic_parser<isRequest, isDirect, Derived>::
 maybe_flatten(
     ConstBufferSequence const& buffers)
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ parse_fields(char const*& it,
                     it = term;
                 }
             }
-            boost::string_ref value{
+            string_view value{
                 s.data(), s.size()};
             do_field(name, value, ec);
             if(ec)
@@ -568,8 +568,8 @@ template<bool isRequest, bool isDirect, class Derived>
 void
 basic_parser<isRequest, isDirect, Derived>::
 do_field(
-    boost::string_ref const& name,
-        boost::string_ref const& value,
+    string_view const& name,
+        string_view const& value,
             error_code& ec)
 {
     // Connection
@@ -996,7 +996,7 @@ parse_body(char const* p,
     std::size_t n, error_code& ec)
 {
     n = beast::detail::clamp(len_, n);
-    body_ = boost::string_ref{p, n};
+    body_ = string_view{p, n};
     impl().on_data(body_, ec);
     if(ec)
         return 0;
@@ -1017,7 +1017,7 @@ basic_parser<isRequest, isDirect, Derived>::
 parse_body_to_eof(char const* p,
     std::size_t n, error_code& ec)
 {
-    body_ = boost::string_ref{p, n};
+    body_ = string_view{p, n};
     impl().on_data(body_, ec);
     if(ec)
         return 0;
@@ -1032,7 +1032,7 @@ parse_chunk_body(char const* p,
     std::size_t n, error_code& ec)
 {
     n = beast::detail::clamp(len_, n);
-    body_ = boost::string_ref{p, n};
+    body_ = string_view{p, n};
     impl().on_data(body_, ec);
     if(ec)
         return 0;
diff --git a/include/beast/http/impl/fields.ipp b/include/beast/http/impl/fields.ipp
index ff9d3127..0aaafd97 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/impl/fields.ipp
+++ b/include/beast/http/impl/fields.ipp
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ basic_fields(FwdIt first, FwdIt last)
 template<class Allocator>
 std::size_t
 basic_fields<Allocator>::
-count(boost::string_ref const& name) const
+count(string_view const& name) const
 {
     auto const it = set_.find(name, less{});
     if(it == set_.end())
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ count(boost::string_ref const& name) const
 template<class Allocator>
 auto
 basic_fields<Allocator>::
-find(boost::string_ref const& name) const ->
+find(string_view const& name) const ->
     iterator
 {
     auto const it = set_.find(name, less{});
@@ -192,9 +192,9 @@ find(boost::string_ref const& name) const ->
 }
 
 template<class Allocator>
-boost::string_ref const
+string_view const
 basic_fields<Allocator>::
-operator[](boost::string_ref const& name) const
+operator[](string_view const& name) const
 {
     auto const it = find(name);
     if(it == end())
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ clear() noexcept
 template<class Allocator>
 std::size_t
 basic_fields<Allocator>::
-erase(boost::string_ref const& name)
+erase(string_view const& name)
 {
     auto it = set_.find(name, less{});
     if(it == set_.end())
@@ -239,8 +239,8 @@ erase(boost::string_ref const& name)
 template<class Allocator>
 void
 basic_fields<Allocator>::
-insert(boost::string_ref const& name,
-    boost::string_ref value)
+insert(string_view const& name,
+    string_view value)
 {
     value = detail::trim(value);
     auto const p = alloc_traits::allocate(this->member(), 1);
@@ -252,8 +252,8 @@ insert(boost::string_ref const& name,
 template<class Allocator>
 void
 basic_fields<Allocator>::
-replace(boost::string_ref const& name,
-    boost::string_ref value)
+replace(string_view const& name,
+    string_view value)
 {
     value = detail::trim(value);
     erase(name);
diff --git a/include/beast/http/impl/rfc7230.ipp b/include/beast/http/impl/rfc7230.ipp
index c31638fc..151d2dda 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/impl/rfc7230.ipp
+++ b/include/beast/http/impl/rfc7230.ipp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ namespace http {
 
 class param_list::const_iterator
 {
-    using iter_type = boost::string_ref::const_iterator;
+    using iter_type = string_view::const_iterator;
 
     std::string s_;
     detail::param_iter pi_;
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ private:
     template<class = void>
     static
     std::string
-    unquote(boost::string_ref const& sr);
+    unquote(string_view const& sr);
 
     template<class = void>
     void
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ cend() const ->
 template<class>
 std::string
 param_list::const_iterator::
-unquote(boost::string_ref const& sr)
+unquote(string_view const& sr)
 {
     std::string s;
     s.reserve(sr.size());
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ increment()
         pi_.v.second.front() == '"')
     {
         s_ = unquote(pi_.v.second);
-        pi_.v.second = boost::string_ref{
+        pi_.v.second = string_view{
             s_.data(), s_.size()};
     }
 }
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ increment()
                 if(! detail::is_tchar(*it_))
                     break;
             }
-            v_.first = boost::string_ref{&*p0,
+            v_.first = string_view{&*p0,
                 static_cast<std::size_t>(it_ - p0)};
             detail::param_iter pi;
             pi.it = it_;
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ increment()
                 if(pi.empty())
                     break;
             }
-            v_.second = param_list{boost::string_ref{&*it_,
+            v_.second = param_list{string_view{&*it_,
                 static_cast<std::size_t>(pi.it - it_)}};
             it_ = pi.it;
             return;
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ increment()
                 if(! detail::is_tchar(*it_))
                     break;
             }
-            v_ = boost::string_ref{&*p0,
+            v_ = string_view{&*p0,
                 static_cast<std::size_t>(it_ - p0)};
             return;
         }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/message.hpp b/include/beast/http/message.hpp
index 5d4621fb..bd04d08c 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/message.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/message.hpp
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 
 #include <beast/config.hpp>
 #include <beast/http/fields.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/integer_sequence.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
 #include <tuple>
diff --git a/include/beast/http/message_parser.hpp b/include/beast/http/message_parser.hpp
index 1b6dcc78..506dd246 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/message_parser.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/message_parser.hpp
@@ -157,8 +157,8 @@ private:
 
     void
     on_request(
-        boost::string_ref const& method,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& method,
+            string_view const& target,
                 int version, error_code&)
     {
         m_.target(target);
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ private:
 
     void
     on_response(int status,
-        boost::string_ref const& reason,
+        string_view const& reason,
             int version, error_code&)
     {
         m_.status = status;
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ private:
     }
 
     void
-    on_field(boost::string_ref const& name,
-        boost::string_ref const& value,
+    on_field(string_view const& name,
+        string_view const& value,
             error_code&)
     {
         m_.fields.insert(name, value);
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ private:
     }
 
     void
-    on_data(boost::string_ref const& s,
+    on_data(string_view const& s,
         error_code& ec)
     {
         static_assert(! Body::reader::is_direct, "");
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ private:
 
     void
     on_chunk(std::uint64_t,
-        boost::string_ref const&,
+        string_view const&,
             error_code&)
     {
     }
diff --git a/include/beast/http/rfc7230.hpp b/include/beast/http/rfc7230.hpp
index aa303120..b20ab920 100644
--- a/include/beast/http/rfc7230.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/http/rfc7230.hpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ namespace http {
 */
 class param_list
 {
-    boost::string_ref s_;
+    string_view s_;
 
 public:
     /** The type of each element in the list.
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public:
         be empty).
     */
     using value_type =
-        std::pair<boost::string_ref, boost::string_ref>;
+        std::pair<string_view, string_view>;
 
     /// A constant iterator to the list
 #if BEAST_DOXYGEN
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public:
         must remain valid for the lifetime of the container.
     */
     explicit
-    param_list(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    param_list(string_view const& s)
         : s_(s)
     {
     }
@@ -137,9 +137,9 @@ public:
 */
 class ext_list
 {
-    using iter_type = boost::string_ref::const_iterator;
+    using iter_type = string_view::const_iterator;
 
-    boost::string_ref s_;
+    string_view s_;
 
 public:
     /** The type of each element in the list.
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ public:
         second element of the pair is an iterable container holding the
         extension's name/value parameters.
     */
-    using value_type = std::pair<boost::string_ref, param_list>;
+    using value_type = std::pair<string_view, param_list>;
 
     /// A constant iterator to the list
 #if BEAST_DOXYGEN
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public:
         must remain valid for the lifetime of the container.
     */
     explicit
-    ext_list(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    ext_list(string_view const& s)
         : s_(s)
     {
     }
@@ -230,13 +230,13 @@ public:
 */
 class token_list
 {
-    using iter_type = boost::string_ref::const_iterator;
+    using iter_type = string_view::const_iterator;
 
-    boost::string_ref s_;
+    string_view s_;
 
 public:
     /// The type of each element in the token list.
-    using value_type = boost::string_ref;
+    using value_type = string_view;
 
     /// A constant iterator to the list
 #if BEAST_DOXYGEN
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ public:
         must remain valid for the lifetime of the container.
     */
     explicit
-    token_list(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    token_list(string_view const& s)
         : s_(s)
     {
     }
diff --git a/include/beast/websocket/detail/hybi13.hpp b/include/beast/websocket/detail/hybi13.hpp
index d2dc3fb3..7cb17c3c 100644
--- a/include/beast/websocket/detail/hybi13.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/websocket/detail/hybi13.hpp
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
 #define BEAST_WEBSOCKET_DETAIL_HYBI13_HPP
 
 #include <beast/core/static_string.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/base64.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/sha1.hpp>
 #include <boost/assert.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <array>
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <string>
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ make_sec_ws_key(sec_ws_key_type& key, Gen& g)
 template<class = void>
 void
 make_sec_ws_accept(sec_ws_accept_type& accept,
-    boost::string_ref key)
+    string_view key)
 {
     BOOST_ASSERT(key.size() <= sec_ws_key_type::max_size_n);
     static_string<sec_ws_key_type::max_size_n + 36> m(key);
diff --git a/include/beast/websocket/detail/pmd_extension.hpp b/include/beast/websocket/detail/pmd_extension.hpp
index e7c087a3..b8fb8bcb 100644
--- a/include/beast/websocket/detail/pmd_extension.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/websocket/detail/pmd_extension.hpp
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ struct pmd_offer
 
 template<class = void>
 int
-parse_bits(boost::string_ref const& s)
+parse_bits(string_view const& s)
 {
     if(s.size() == 0)
         return -1;
diff --git a/include/beast/websocket/impl/handshake.ipp b/include/beast/websocket/impl/handshake.ipp
index 337f128f..2e84bf21 100644
--- a/include/beast/websocket/impl/handshake.ipp
+++ b/include/beast/websocket/impl/handshake.ipp
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ class stream<NextLayer>::handshake_op
         template<class Decorator>
         data(Handler& handler, stream<NextLayer>& ws_,
             response_type* res_p_,
-                boost::string_ref const& host,
-                    boost::string_ref const& target,
+                string_view const& host,
+                    string_view const& target,
                         Decorator const& decorator)
             : cont(beast_asio_helpers::
                 is_continuation(handler))
@@ -163,8 +163,8 @@ template<class HandshakeHandler>
 typename async_completion<HandshakeHandler,
     void(error_code)>::result_type
 stream<NextLayer>::
-async_handshake(boost::string_ref const& host,
-    boost::string_ref const& target,
+async_handshake(string_view const& host,
+    string_view const& target,
         HandshakeHandler&& handler)
 {
     static_assert(is_AsyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
@@ -183,8 +183,8 @@ typename async_completion<HandshakeHandler,
     void(error_code)>::result_type
 stream<NextLayer>::
 async_handshake(response_type& res,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             HandshakeHandler&& handler)
 {
     static_assert(is_AsyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ template<class RequestDecorator, class HandshakeHandler>
 typename async_completion<HandshakeHandler,
     void(error_code)>::result_type
 stream<NextLayer>::
-async_handshake_ex(boost::string_ref const& host,
-    boost::string_ref const& target,
+async_handshake_ex(string_view const& host,
+    string_view const& target,
         RequestDecorator const& decorator,
             HandshakeHandler&& handler)
 {
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ typename async_completion<HandshakeHandler,
     void(error_code)>::result_type
 stream<NextLayer>::
 async_handshake_ex(response_type& res,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                 HandshakeHandler&& handler)
 {
@@ -247,8 +247,8 @@ async_handshake_ex(response_type& res,
 template<class NextLayer>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
-handshake(boost::string_ref const& host,
-    boost::string_ref const& target)
+handshake(string_view const& host,
+    string_view const& target)
 {
     static_assert(is_SyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
         "SyncStream requirements not met");
@@ -263,8 +263,8 @@ template<class NextLayer>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
 handshake(response_type& res,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target)
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target)
 {
     static_assert(is_SyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
         "SyncStream requirements not met");
@@ -278,8 +278,8 @@ template<class NextLayer>
 template<class RequestDecorator>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
-handshake_ex(boost::string_ref const& host,
-    boost::string_ref const& target,
+handshake_ex(string_view const& host,
+    string_view const& target,
         RequestDecorator const& decorator)
 {
     static_assert(is_SyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
@@ -298,8 +298,8 @@ template<class RequestDecorator>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
 handshake_ex(response_type& res,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator)
 {
     static_assert(is_SyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
@@ -316,8 +316,8 @@ handshake_ex(response_type& res,
 template<class NextLayer>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
-handshake(boost::string_ref const& host,
-    boost::string_ref const& target, error_code& ec)
+handshake(string_view const& host,
+    string_view const& target, error_code& ec)
 {
     static_assert(is_SyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
         "SyncStream requirements not met");
@@ -329,8 +329,8 @@ template<class NextLayer>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
 handshake(response_type& res,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             error_code& ec)
 {
     static_assert(is_SyncStream<next_layer_type>::value,
@@ -343,8 +343,8 @@ template<class NextLayer>
 template<class RequestDecorator>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
-handshake_ex(boost::string_ref const& host,
-    boost::string_ref const& target,
+handshake_ex(string_view const& host,
+    string_view const& target,
         RequestDecorator const& decorator,
             error_code& ec)
 {
@@ -362,8 +362,8 @@ template<class RequestDecorator>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
 handshake_ex(response_type& res,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                 error_code& ec)
 {
diff --git a/include/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp b/include/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp
index ec44014f..e28d7be8 100644
--- a/include/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp
+++ b/include/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp
@@ -127,8 +127,8 @@ template<class RequestDecorator>
 void
 stream<NextLayer>::
 do_handshake(response_type* res_p,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                 error_code& ec)
 {
@@ -156,8 +156,8 @@ template<class Decorator>
 request_type
 stream<NextLayer>::
 build_request(detail::sec_ws_key_type& key,
-    boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             Decorator const& decorator)
 {
     request_type req;
diff --git a/include/beast/websocket/stream.hpp b/include/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
index 04ba0799..94ababfc 100644
--- a/include/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
+++ b/include/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@
 #include <beast/http/string_body.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/async_completion.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/buffered_read_stream.hpp>
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
 #include <beast/core/detail/get_lowest_layer.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio.hpp>
-#include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <limits>
@@ -1465,8 +1465,8 @@ public:
         @endcode
     */
     void
-    handshake(boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target);
+    handshake(string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target);
 
     /** Send an HTTP WebSocket Upgrade request and receive the response.
 
@@ -1514,8 +1514,8 @@ public:
     */
     void
     handshake(response_type& res,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target);
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target);
 
     /** Send an HTTP WebSocket Upgrade request and receive the response.
 
@@ -1572,8 +1572,8 @@ public:
     */
     template<class RequestDecorator>
     void
-    handshake_ex(boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    handshake_ex(string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator);
 
     /** Send an HTTP WebSocket Upgrade request and receive the response.
@@ -1636,8 +1636,8 @@ public:
     template<class RequestDecorator>
     void
     handshake_ex(response_type& res,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 RequestDecorator const& decorator);
 
     /** Send an HTTP WebSocket Upgrade request and receive the response.
@@ -1679,8 +1679,8 @@ public:
         @endcode
     */
     void
-    handshake(boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target, error_code& ec);
+    handshake(string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target, error_code& ec);
 
     /** Send an HTTP WebSocket Upgrade request and receive the response.
 
@@ -1726,8 +1726,8 @@ public:
     */
     void
     handshake(response_type& res,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 error_code& ec);
 
     /** Send an HTTP WebSocket Upgrade request and receive the response.
@@ -1784,8 +1784,8 @@ public:
     */
     template<class RequestDecorator>
     void
-    handshake_ex(boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    handshake_ex(string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                 error_code& ec);
 
@@ -1848,8 +1848,8 @@ public:
     template<class RequestDecorator>
     void
     handshake_ex(response_type& res,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                     error_code& ec);
 
@@ -1901,8 +1901,8 @@ public:
     typename async_completion<HandshakeHandler,
         void(error_code)>::result_type
 #endif
-    async_handshake(boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    async_handshake(string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             HandshakeHandler&& handler);
 
     /** Start an asynchronous operation to send an upgrade request and receive the response.
@@ -1958,8 +1958,8 @@ public:
         void(error_code)>::result_type
 #endif
     async_handshake(response_type& res,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 HandshakeHandler&& handler);
 
     /** Start an asynchronous operation to send an upgrade request and receive the response.
@@ -2019,8 +2019,8 @@ public:
     typename async_completion<HandshakeHandler,
         void(error_code)>::result_type
 #endif
-    async_handshake_ex(boost::string_ref const& host,
-        boost::string_ref const& target,
+    async_handshake_ex(string_view const& host,
+        string_view const& target,
             RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                 HandshakeHandler&& handler);
 
@@ -2086,8 +2086,8 @@ public:
         void(error_code)>::result_type
 #endif
     async_handshake_ex(response_type& res,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                     HandshakeHandler&& handler);
 
@@ -2968,16 +2968,16 @@ private:
     template<class RequestDecorator>
     void
     do_handshake(response_type* res_p,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 RequestDecorator const& decorator,
                     error_code& ec);
 
     template<class Decorator>
     request_type
     build_request(detail::sec_ws_key_type& key,
-        boost::string_ref const& host,
-            boost::string_ref const& target,
+        string_view const& host,
+            string_view const& target,
                 Decorator const& decorator);
 
     template<class Decorator>
diff --git a/test/Jamfile b/test/Jamfile
index 67e980a3..24ce66d2 100644
--- a/test/Jamfile
+++ b/test/Jamfile
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ unit-test core-tests :
     core/static_buffer.cpp
     core/static_string.cpp
     core/stream_concepts.cpp
+    core/string_view.cpp
     core/base64.cpp
     core/empty_base_optimization.cpp
     core/get_lowest_layer.cpp
diff --git a/test/core/CMakeLists.txt b/test/core/CMakeLists.txt
index 41d137aa..63cc9914 100644
--- a/test/core/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/core/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ add_executable (core-tests
     static_buffer.cpp
     static_string.cpp
     stream_concepts.cpp
+    string_view.cpp
     base64.cpp
     empty_base_optimization.cpp
     get_lowest_layer.cpp
diff --git a/test/core/static_string.cpp b/test/core/static_string.cpp
index bb907fae..ade4d50e 100644
--- a/test/core/static_string.cpp
+++ b/test/core/static_string.cpp
@@ -123,13 +123,13 @@ public:
         }
         {
             static_string<3> s1(
-                boost::string_ref("123"));
+                string_view("123"));
             BEAST_EXPECT(s1 == "123");
             BEAST_EXPECT(*s1.end() == 0);
             try
             {
                 static_string<2> s2(
-                    boost::string_ref("123"));
+                    string_view("123"));
                 fail("", __FILE__, __LINE__);
             }
             catch(std::length_error const&)
@@ -232,13 +232,13 @@ public:
         }
         {
             static_string<3> s1;
-            s1 = boost::string_ref("123");
+            s1 = string_view("123");
             BEAST_EXPECT(s1 == "123");
             BEAST_EXPECT(*s1.end() == 0);
             try
             {
                 static_string<1> s2;
-                s2 = boost::string_ref("123");
+                s2 = string_view("123");
                 fail("", __FILE__, __LINE__);
             }
             catch(std::length_error const&)
@@ -370,15 +370,15 @@ public:
         }
         {
             static_string<5> s1;
-            s1.assign(boost::string_ref("123"));
+            s1.assign(string_view("123"));
             BEAST_EXPECT(s1 == "123");
             BEAST_EXPECT(*s1.end() == 0);
-            s1.assign(boost::string_ref("12345"));
+            s1.assign(string_view("12345"));
             BEAST_EXPECT(s1 == "12345");
             BEAST_EXPECT(*s1.end() == 0);
             try
             {
-                s1.assign(boost::string_ref("1234567"));
+                s1.assign(string_view("1234567"));
                 fail("", __FILE__, __LINE__);
             }
             catch(std::length_error const&)
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ public:
         }
         {
             static_string<3> s("123");
-            boost::string_ref sv = s;
+            string_view sv = s;
             BEAST_EXPECT(static_string<5>(sv) == "123");
         }
     }
@@ -750,13 +750,13 @@ public:
         }
         {
             static_string<5> s1("123");
-            s1.insert(1, boost::string_ref("UV"));
+            s1.insert(1, string_view("UV"));
             BEAST_EXPECT(s1 == "1UV23");
             BEAST_EXPECT(*s1.end() == 0);
             try
             {
                 static_string<4> s2("123");
-                s2.insert(1, boost::string_ref("UV"));
+                s2.insert(1, string_view("UV"));
                 fail("", __FILE__, __LINE__);
             }
             catch(std::length_error const&)
@@ -766,7 +766,7 @@ public:
             try
             {
                 static_string<5> s2("123");
-                s2.insert(5, boost::string_ref("UV"));
+                s2.insert(5, string_view("UV"));
                 fail("", __FILE__, __LINE__);
             }
             catch(std::out_of_range const&)
@@ -1024,7 +1024,7 @@ public:
             }
         }
         {
-            boost::string_ref s1("XYZ");
+            string_view s1("XYZ");
             static_string<5> s2("12");
             s2.append(s1);
             BEAST_EXPECT(s2 == "12XYZ");
@@ -1124,7 +1124,7 @@ public:
             }
         }
         {
-            boost::string_ref s1("34");
+            string_view s1("34");
             static_string<4> s2("12");
             s2 += s1;
             BEAST_EXPECT(s2 == "1234");
diff --git a/test/core/string_view.cpp b/test/core/string_view.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b97e888f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/string_view.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+//
+// Copyright (c) 2013-2017 Vinnie Falco (vinnie dot falco at gmail dot com)
+//
+// Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
+// file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
+//
+
+// Test that header file is self-contained.
+#include <beast/core/string_view.hpp>
diff --git a/test/http/basic_parser.cpp b/test/http/basic_parser.cpp
index 86fa7163..05f41be2 100644
--- a/test/http/basic_parser.cpp
+++ b/test/http/basic_parser.cpp
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ public:
 
     template<bool isRequest, class Pred>
     void
-    good(boost::string_ref const& s,
+    good(string_view const& s,
         Pred const& pred, bool skipBody = false)
     {
         using boost::asio::buffer;
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ public:
 
     template<bool isRequest>
     void
-    good(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    good(string_view const& s)
     {
         good<isRequest>(s,
             [](test_parser<isRequest> const&)
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ public:
 
     template<bool isRequest>
     void
-    bad(boost::string_ref const& s,
+    bad(string_view const& s,
         error_code const& ev, bool skipBody = false)
     {
         using boost::asio::buffer;
diff --git a/test/http/design.cpp b/test/http/design.cpp
index e21bd984..b44acdcc 100644
--- a/test/http/design.cpp
+++ b/test/http/design.cpp
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public:
             }
             
             void
-            write(boost::string_ref const& s,
+            write(string_view const& s,
                 error_code& ec)
             {
                 body_.append(s.data(), s.size());
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ public:
     struct bodyHandler
     {
         void
-        operator()(boost::string_ref const& body) const
+        operator()(string_view const& body) const
         {
             // called for each piece of the body,
         }
diff --git a/test/http/message_fuzz.hpp b/test/http/message_fuzz.hpp
index f199f4d5..3e6ff075 100644
--- a/test/http/message_fuzz.hpp
+++ b/test/http/message_fuzz.hpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace http {
 
 template<class = void>
 std::string
-escaped_string(boost::string_ref const& s)
+escaped_string(string_view const& s)
 {
     std::string out;
     out.reserve(s.size());
diff --git a/test/http/parser_bench.cpp b/test/http/parser_bench.cpp
index ea2d1f53..3af58262 100644
--- a/test/http/parser_bench.cpp
+++ b/test/http/parser_bench.cpp
@@ -168,22 +168,22 @@ public:
             boost::asio::mutable_buffers_1;
 
         void
-        on_request(boost::string_ref const&,
-            boost::string_ref const&,
+        on_request(string_view const&,
+            string_view const&,
                 int, error_code&)
         {
         }
 
         void
         on_response(int,
-            boost::string_ref const&,
+            string_view const&,
                 int, error_code&)
         {
         }
 
         void
-        on_field(boost::string_ref const&,
-            boost::string_ref const&,
+        on_field(string_view const&,
+            string_view const&,
                 error_code&)
         {
         }
@@ -205,20 +205,20 @@ public:
         }
 
         void
-        on_data(boost::string_ref const&,
+        on_data(string_view const&,
             error_code& ec)
         {
         }
 
         void
         on_chunk(std::uint64_t,
-            boost::string_ref const&,
+            string_view const&,
                 error_code&)
         {
         }
 
         void
-        on_body(boost::string_ref const&,
+        on_body(string_view const&,
             error_code&)
         {
         }
diff --git a/test/http/rfc7230.cpp b/test/http/rfc7230.cpp
index a02b2cc7..546398ce 100644
--- a/test/http/rfc7230.cpp
+++ b/test/http/rfc7230.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public:
 
     static
     std::string
-    str(boost::string_ref const& s)
+    str(string_view const& s)
     {
         return std::string(s.data(), s.size());
     }
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ public:
     template<class Policy>
     static
     std::vector<std::string>
-    to_vector(boost::string_ref const& in)
+    to_vector(string_view const& in)
     {
         std::vector<std::string> v;
         detail::basic_parsed_list<Policy> list{in};
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ public:
 
     template<class Policy>
     void
-    validate(boost::string_ref const& in,
+    validate(string_view const& in,
         std::vector<std::string> const& v)
     {
         BEAST_EXPECT(to_vector<Policy>(in) == v);
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ public:
 
     template<class Policy>
     void
-    good(boost::string_ref const& in)
+    good(string_view const& in)
     {
         BEAST_EXPECT(validate_list(
             detail::basic_parsed_list<Policy>{in}));
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ public:
 
     template<class Policy>
     void
-    good(boost::string_ref const& in,
+    good(string_view const& in,
         std::vector<std::string> const& v)
     {
         BEAST_EXPECT(validate_list(
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ public:
 
     template<class Policy>
     void
-    bad(boost::string_ref const& in)
+    bad(string_view const& in)
     {
         BEAST_EXPECT(! validate_list(
             detail::basic_parsed_list<Policy>{in}));
diff --git a/test/http/test_parser.hpp b/test/http/test_parser.hpp
index 7d2611c2..94e3a9ed 100644
--- a/test/http/test_parser.hpp
+++ b/test/http/test_parser.hpp
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ public:
 
     void
     on_request(
-        boost::string_ref const& method_,
-            boost::string_ref const& path_,
+        string_view const& method_,
+            string_view const& path_,
                 int version_, error_code& ec)
     {
         method = std::string(
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ public:
 
     void
     on_response(int status_,
-        boost::string_ref const& reason_,
+        string_view const& reason_,
             int version_, error_code& ec)
     {
         status = status_;
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ public:
     }
 
     void
-    on_field(boost::string_ref const&,
-        boost::string_ref const&,
+    on_field(string_view const&,
+        string_view const&,
             error_code& ec)
     {
         got_on_field = true;
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     void
-    on_data(boost::string_ref const& s,
+    on_data(string_view const& s,
         error_code& ec)
     {
         body.append(s.data(), s.size());
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ public:
 
     void
     on_chunk(std::uint64_t,
-        boost::string_ref const&,
+        string_view const&,
             error_code& ec)
     {
         got_on_chunk = true;
diff --git a/test/websocket/stream.cpp b/test/websocket/stream.cpp
index 08a85531..4326108e 100644
--- a/test/websocket/stream.cpp
+++ b/test/websocket/stream.cpp
@@ -198,8 +198,8 @@ public:
         template<class NextLayer>
         void
         handshake(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
-            boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                boost::string_ref const& path) const
+            string_view const& uri,
+                string_view const& path) const
         {
             ws.handshake(uri, path);
         }
@@ -208,8 +208,8 @@ public:
         void
         handshake(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
             response_type& res,
-                boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                    boost::string_ref const& path) const
+                string_view const& uri,
+                    string_view const& path) const
         {
             ws.handshake(res, uri, path);
         }
@@ -217,8 +217,8 @@ public:
         template<class NextLayer, class Decorator>
         void
         handshake_ex(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
-            boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                boost::string_ref const& path,
+            string_view const& uri,
+                string_view const& path,
                     Decorator const& d) const
         {
             ws.handshake_ex(uri, path, d);
@@ -228,8 +228,8 @@ public:
         void
         handshake_ex(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
             response_type& res,
-                boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                    boost::string_ref const& path,
+                string_view const& uri,
+                    string_view const& path,
                         Decorator const& d) const
         {
             ws.handshake_ex(res, uri, path, d);
@@ -409,8 +409,8 @@ public:
         template<class NextLayer>
         void
         handshake(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
-            boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                boost::string_ref const& path) const
+            string_view const& uri,
+                string_view const& path) const
         {
             error_code ec;
             ws.async_handshake(
@@ -423,8 +423,8 @@ public:
         void
         handshake(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
             response_type& res,
-                boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                    boost::string_ref const& path) const
+                string_view const& uri,
+                    string_view const& path) const
         {
             error_code ec;
             ws.async_handshake(
@@ -436,8 +436,8 @@ public:
         template<class NextLayer, class Decorator>
         void
         handshake_ex(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
-            boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                boost::string_ref const& path,
+            string_view const& uri,
+                string_view const& path,
                     Decorator const &d) const
         {
             error_code ec;
@@ -451,8 +451,8 @@ public:
         void
         handshake_ex(stream<NextLayer>& ws,
             response_type& res,
-                boost::string_ref const& uri,
-                    boost::string_ref const& path,
+                string_view const& uri,
+                    string_view const& path,
                         Decorator const &d) const
         {
             error_code ec;