diff --git a/wire/bench_test.go b/wire/bench_test.go
index 5176c962e8..d19dd775f2 100644
--- a/wire/bench_test.go
+++ b/wire/bench_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"compress/bzip2"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"net"
 	"os"
@@ -63,38 +64,48 @@ var genesisCoinbaseTx = MsgTx{
 // BenchmarkWriteVarInt1 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
 // a single byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkWriteVarInt1(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteVarInt(ioutil.Discard, 0, 1)
+		WriteVarInt(io.Discard, 0, 1)
 	}
 }
 
 // BenchmarkWriteVarInt3 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
 // a three byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkWriteVarInt3(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteVarInt(ioutil.Discard, 0, 65535)
+		WriteVarInt(io.Discard, 0, 65535)
 	}
 }
 
 // BenchmarkWriteVarInt5 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
 // a five byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkWriteVarInt5(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteVarInt(ioutil.Discard, 0, 4294967295)
+		WriteVarInt(io.Discard, 0, 4294967295)
 	}
 }
 
 // BenchmarkWriteVarInt9 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
 // a nine byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkWriteVarInt9(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteVarInt(ioutil.Discard, 0, 18446744073709551615)
+		WriteVarInt(io.Discard, 0, 18446744073709551615)
 	}
 }
 
 // BenchmarkReadVarInt1 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
 // a single byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkReadVarInt1(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{0x01}
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -106,6 +117,8 @@ func BenchmarkReadVarInt1(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkReadVarInt3 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
 // a three byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkReadVarInt3(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{0x0fd, 0xff, 0xff}
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -117,6 +130,8 @@ func BenchmarkReadVarInt3(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkReadVarInt5 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
 // a five byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkReadVarInt5(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{0xfe, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff}
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -128,6 +143,8 @@ func BenchmarkReadVarInt5(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkReadVarInt9 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
 // a nine byte variable length integer.
 func BenchmarkReadVarInt9(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff}
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -136,9 +153,119 @@ func BenchmarkReadVarInt9(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
+// BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf1 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
+// a single byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf1(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		WriteVarIntBuf(io.Discard, 0, 1, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf3 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
+// a three byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf3(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		WriteVarIntBuf(io.Discard, 0, 65535, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf5 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
+// a five byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf5(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		WriteVarIntBuf(io.Discard, 0, 4294967295, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf9 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
+// a nine byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkWriteVarIntBuf9(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		WriteVarIntBuf(io.Discard, 0, 18446744073709551615, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf1 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
+// a single byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf1(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{0x01}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		ReadVarIntBuf(r, 0, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf3 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
+// a three byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf3(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{0x0fd, 0xff, 0xff}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		ReadVarIntBuf(r, 0, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf5 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
+// a five byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf5(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{0xfe, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		ReadVarIntBuf(r, 0, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf9 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read
+// a nine byte variable length integer.
+func BenchmarkReadVarIntBuf9(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		ReadVarIntBuf(r, 0, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
 // BenchmarkReadVarStr4 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
 // four byte variable length string.
 func BenchmarkReadVarStr4(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{0x04, 't', 'e', 's', 't'}
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -150,6 +277,8 @@ func BenchmarkReadVarStr4(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkReadVarStr10 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
 // ten byte variable length string.
 func BenchmarkReadVarStr10(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{0x0a, 't', 'e', 's', 't', '0', '1', '2', '3', '4', '5'}
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -161,22 +290,83 @@ func BenchmarkReadVarStr10(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkWriteVarStr4 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write a
 // four byte variable length string.
 func BenchmarkWriteVarStr4(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteVarString(ioutil.Discard, 0, "test")
+		WriteVarString(io.Discard, 0, "test")
 	}
 }
 
 // BenchmarkWriteVarStr10 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write a
 // ten byte variable length string.
 func BenchmarkWriteVarStr10(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		WriteVarString(io.Discard, 0, "test012345")
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkReadVarStrBuf4 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
+// four byte variable length string.
+func BenchmarkReadVarStrBuf4(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{0x04, 't', 'e', 's', 't'}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteVarString(ioutil.Discard, 0, "test012345")
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		readVarStringBuf(r, 0, buffer)
 	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkReadVarStrBuf10 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
+// ten byte variable length string.
+func BenchmarkReadVarStrBuf10(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{0x0a, 't', 'e', 's', 't', '0', '1', '2', '3', '4', '5'}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		readVarStringBuf(r, 0, buf)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkWriteVarStrBuf4 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write a
+// four byte variable length string.
+func BenchmarkWriteVarStrBuf4(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		writeVarStringBuf(io.Discard, 0, "test", buf)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkWriteVarStrBuf10 performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
+// a ten byte variable length string.
+func BenchmarkWriteVarStrBuf10(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		writeVarStringBuf(io.Discard, 0, "test012345", buf)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
 }
 
 // BenchmarkReadOutPoint performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
 // transaction output point.
 func BenchmarkReadOutPoint(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
 	buf := []byte{
 		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
 		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
@@ -188,25 +378,46 @@ func BenchmarkReadOutPoint(b *testing.B) {
 	var op OutPoint
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		r.Seek(0, 0)
-		readOutPoint(r, 0, 0, &op)
+		readOutPointBuf(r, 0, 0, &op, buffer)
 	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
 }
 
 // BenchmarkWriteOutPoint performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write a
 // transaction output point.
 func BenchmarkWriteOutPoint(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	op := &OutPoint{
 		Hash:  chainhash.Hash{},
 		Index: 0,
 	}
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteOutPoint(ioutil.Discard, 0, 0, op)
+		WriteOutPoint(io.Discard, 0, 0, op)
 	}
 }
 
+// BenchmarkWriteOutPointBuf performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write a
+// transaction output point.
+func BenchmarkWriteOutPointBuf(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	op := &OutPoint{
+		Hash:  chainhash.Hash{},
+		Index: 0,
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		writeOutPointBuf(io.Discard, 0, 0, op, buf)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+}
+
 // BenchmarkReadTxOut performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
 // transaction output.
 func BenchmarkReadTxOut(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{
 		0x00, 0xf2, 0x05, 0x2a, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Transaction amount
 		0x43, // Varint for length of pk script
@@ -227,22 +438,74 @@ func BenchmarkReadTxOut(b *testing.B) {
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		r.Seek(0, 0)
 		ReadTxOut(r, 0, 0, &txOut)
-		scriptPool.Return(txOut.PkScript)
 	}
 }
 
+// BenchmarkReadTxOutBuf performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
+// transaction output.
+func BenchmarkReadTxOutBuf(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	scriptBuffer := scriptPool.Borrow()
+	sbuf := scriptBuffer[:]
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{
+		0x00, 0xf2, 0x05, 0x2a, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Transaction amount
+		0x43, // Varint for length of pk script
+		0x41, // OP_DATA_65
+		0x04, 0x96, 0xb5, 0x38, 0xe8, 0x53, 0x51, 0x9c,
+		0x72, 0x6a, 0x2c, 0x91, 0xe6, 0x1e, 0xc1, 0x16,
+		0x00, 0xae, 0x13, 0x90, 0x81, 0x3a, 0x62, 0x7c,
+		0x66, 0xfb, 0x8b, 0xe7, 0x94, 0x7b, 0xe6, 0x3c,
+		0x52, 0xda, 0x75, 0x89, 0x37, 0x95, 0x15, 0xd4,
+		0xe0, 0xa6, 0x04, 0xf8, 0x14, 0x17, 0x81, 0xe6,
+		0x22, 0x94, 0x72, 0x11, 0x66, 0xbf, 0x62, 0x1e,
+		0x73, 0xa8, 0x2c, 0xbf, 0x23, 0x42, 0xc8, 0x58,
+		0xee, // 65-byte signature
+		0xac, // OP_CHECKSIG
+	}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	var txOut TxOut
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		readTxOutBuf(r, 0, 0, &txOut, buffer, sbuf)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+	scriptPool.Return(scriptBuffer)
+}
+
 // BenchmarkWriteTxOut performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
 // a transaction output.
 func BenchmarkWriteTxOut(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	txOut := blockOne.Transactions[0].TxOut[0]
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		WriteTxOut(ioutil.Discard, 0, 0, txOut)
+		WriteTxOut(io.Discard, 0, 0, txOut)
 	}
 }
 
+// BenchmarkWriteTxOutBuf performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
+// a transaction output.
+func BenchmarkWriteTxOutBuf(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	txOut := blockOne.Transactions[0].TxOut[0]
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		WriteTxOutBuf(io.Discard, 0, 0, txOut, buf)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+}
+
 // BenchmarkReadTxIn performs a benchmark on how long it takes to read a
 // transaction input.
 func BenchmarkReadTxIn(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	scriptBuffer := scriptPool.Borrow()
+	sbuf := scriptBuffer[:]
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
 	buf := []byte{
 		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
 		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
@@ -257,18 +520,23 @@ func BenchmarkReadTxIn(b *testing.B) {
 	var txIn TxIn
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		r.Seek(0, 0)
-		readTxIn(r, 0, 0, &txIn)
-		scriptPool.Return(txIn.SignatureScript)
+		readTxInBuf(r, 0, 0, &txIn, buffer, sbuf)
 	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+	scriptPool.Return(scriptBuffer)
 }
 
 // BenchmarkWriteTxIn performs a benchmark on how long it takes to write
 // a transaction input.
 func BenchmarkWriteTxIn(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
 	txIn := blockOne.Transactions[0].TxIn[0]
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		writeTxIn(ioutil.Discard, 0, 0, txIn)
+		writeTxInBuf(io.Discard, 0, 0, txIn, buf)
 	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
 }
 
 // BenchmarkDeserializeTx performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
@@ -302,6 +570,9 @@ func BenchmarkDeserializeTxSmall(b *testing.B) {
 		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Lock time
 	}
 
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	var tx MsgTx
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -313,6 +584,7 @@ func BenchmarkDeserializeTxSmall(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDeserializeTxLarge performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // deserialize a very large transaction.
 func BenchmarkDeserializeTxLarge(b *testing.B) {
+
 	// tx bb41a757f405890fb0f5856228e23b715702d714d59bf2b1feb70d8b2b4e3e08
 	// from the main block chain.
 	fi, err := os.Open("testdata/megatx.bin.bz2")
@@ -325,6 +597,9 @@ func BenchmarkDeserializeTxLarge(b *testing.B) {
 		b.Fatalf("Failed to read transaction data: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	var tx MsgTx
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -333,19 +608,132 @@ func BenchmarkDeserializeTxLarge(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
+func BenchmarkDeserializeBlock(b *testing.B) {
+	buf, err := os.ReadFile(
+		"testdata/block-00000000000000000021868c2cefc52a480d173c849412fe81c4e5ab806f94ab.blk",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("Failed to read block data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	var block MsgBlock
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		block.Deserialize(r)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkSerializeBlock(b *testing.B) {
+	buf, err := os.ReadFile(
+		"testdata/block-00000000000000000021868c2cefc52a480d173c849412fe81c4e5ab806f94ab.blk",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("Failed to read block data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var block MsgBlock
+	err = block.Deserialize(bytes.NewReader(buf))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err.Error())
+	}
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		block.Serialize(io.Discard)
+	}
+}
+
 // BenchmarkSerializeTx performs a benchmark on how long it takes to serialize
 // a transaction.
 func BenchmarkSerializeTx(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	tx := blockOne.Transactions[0]
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		tx.Serialize(ioutil.Discard)
+		tx.Serialize(io.Discard)
+
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkSerializeTxSmall performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
+// serialize a transaction.
+func BenchmarkSerializeTxSmall(b *testing.B) {
+	buf := []byte{
+		0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Version
+		0x01, // Varint for number of input transactions
+		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, //  // Previous output hash
+		0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, // Prevous output index
+		0x07,                                     // Varint for length of signature script
+		0x04, 0xff, 0xff, 0x00, 0x1d, 0x01, 0x04, // Signature script
+		0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, // Sequence
+		0x01,                                           // Varint for number of output transactions
+		0x00, 0xf2, 0x05, 0x2a, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Transaction amount
+		0x43, // Varint for length of pk script
+		0x41, // OP_DATA_65
+		0x04, 0x96, 0xb5, 0x38, 0xe8, 0x53, 0x51, 0x9c,
+		0x72, 0x6a, 0x2c, 0x91, 0xe6, 0x1e, 0xc1, 0x16,
+		0x00, 0xae, 0x13, 0x90, 0x81, 0x3a, 0x62, 0x7c,
+		0x66, 0xfb, 0x8b, 0xe7, 0x94, 0x7b, 0xe6, 0x3c,
+		0x52, 0xda, 0x75, 0x89, 0x37, 0x95, 0x15, 0xd4,
+		0xe0, 0xa6, 0x04, 0xf8, 0x14, 0x17, 0x81, 0xe6,
+		0x22, 0x94, 0x72, 0x11, 0x66, 0xbf, 0x62, 0x1e,
+		0x73, 0xa8, 0x2c, 0xbf, 0x23, 0x42, 0xc8, 0x58,
+		0xee,                   // 65-byte signature
+		0xac,                   // OP_CHECKSIG
+		0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Lock time
+	}
+
+	var tx MsgTx
+	tx.Deserialize(bytes.NewReader(buf))
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		tx.Serialize(io.Discard)
+	}
+}
 
+// BenchmarkSerializeTxLarge performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
+// serialize a transaction.
+func BenchmarkSerializeTxLarge(b *testing.B) {
+	// tx bb41a757f405890fb0f5856228e23b715702d714d59bf2b1feb70d8b2b4e3e08
+	// from the main block chain.
+	fi, err := os.Open("testdata/megatx.bin.bz2")
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("Failed to read transaction data: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fi.Close()
+	buf, err := ioutil.ReadAll(bzip2.NewReader(fi))
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("Failed to read transaction data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var tx MsgTx
+	tx.Deserialize(bytes.NewReader(buf))
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		tx.Serialize(io.Discard)
 	}
 }
 
 // BenchmarkReadBlockHeader performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // deserialize a block header.
 func BenchmarkReadBlockHeader(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	buf := []byte{
 		0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Version 1
 		0x6f, 0xe2, 0x8c, 0x0a, 0xb6, 0xf1, 0xb3, 0x72,
@@ -369,18 +757,65 @@ func BenchmarkReadBlockHeader(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
+// BenchmarkReadBlockHeaderBuf performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
+// deserialize a block header.
+func BenchmarkReadBlockHeaderBuf(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buffer := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	buf := []byte{
+		0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // Version 1
+		0x6f, 0xe2, 0x8c, 0x0a, 0xb6, 0xf1, 0xb3, 0x72,
+		0xc1, 0xa6, 0xa2, 0x46, 0xae, 0x63, 0xf7, 0x4f,
+		0x93, 0x1e, 0x83, 0x65, 0xe1, 0x5a, 0x08, 0x9c,
+		0x68, 0xd6, 0x19, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, // PrevBlock
+		0x3b, 0xa3, 0xed, 0xfd, 0x7a, 0x7b, 0x12, 0xb2,
+		0x7a, 0xc7, 0x2c, 0x3e, 0x67, 0x76, 0x8f, 0x61,
+		0x7f, 0xc8, 0x1b, 0xc3, 0x88, 0x8a, 0x51, 0x32,
+		0x3a, 0x9f, 0xb8, 0xaa, 0x4b, 0x1e, 0x5e, 0x4a, // MerkleRoot
+		0x29, 0xab, 0x5f, 0x49, // Timestamp
+		0xff, 0xff, 0x00, 0x1d, // Bits
+		0xf3, 0xe0, 0x01, 0x00, // Nonce
+		0x00, // TxnCount Varint
+	}
+	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
+	var header BlockHeader
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r.Seek(0, 0)
+		readBlockHeaderBuf(r, 0, &header, buffer)
+	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buffer)
+}
+
 // BenchmarkWriteBlockHeader performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // serialize a block header.
 func BenchmarkWriteBlockHeader(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	header := blockOne.Header
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		writeBlockHeader(io.Discard, 0, &header)
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkWriteBlockHeaderBuf performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
+// serialize a block header.
+func BenchmarkWriteBlockHeaderBuf(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
 	header := blockOne.Header
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		writeBlockHeader(ioutil.Discard, 0, &header)
+		writeBlockHeaderBuf(io.Discard, 0, &header, buf)
 	}
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
 }
 
 // BenchmarkDecodeGetHeaders performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // decode a getheaders message with the maximum number of block locator hashes.
 func BenchmarkDecodeGetHeaders(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	// Create a message with the maximum number of block locators.
 	pver := ProtocolVersion
 	var m MsgGetHeaders
@@ -411,6 +846,8 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeGetHeaders(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDecodeHeaders performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // decode a headers message with the maximum number of headers.
 func BenchmarkDecodeHeaders(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	// Create a message with the maximum number of headers.
 	pver := ProtocolVersion
 	var m MsgHeaders
@@ -441,6 +878,8 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeHeaders(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDecodeGetBlocks performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // decode a getblocks message with the maximum number of block locator hashes.
 func BenchmarkDecodeGetBlocks(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	// Create a message with the maximum number of block locators.
 	pver := ProtocolVersion
 	var m MsgGetBlocks
@@ -471,6 +910,8 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeGetBlocks(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDecodeAddr performs a benchmark on how long it takes to decode an
 // addr message with the maximum number of addresses.
 func BenchmarkDecodeAddr(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	// Create a message with the maximum number of addresses.
 	pver := ProtocolVersion
 	ip := net.ParseIP("127.0.0.1")
@@ -516,6 +957,9 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeInv(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 	buf := bb.Bytes()
 
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
 	r := bytes.NewReader(buf)
 	var msg MsgInv
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -528,6 +972,8 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeInv(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDecodeNotFound performs a benchmark on how long it takes to decode
 // a notfound message with the maximum number of entries.
 func BenchmarkDecodeNotFound(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	// Create a message with the maximum number of entries.
 	pver := ProtocolVersion
 	var m MsgNotFound
@@ -558,6 +1004,8 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeNotFound(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDecodeMerkleBlock performs a benchmark on how long it takes to
 // decode a reasonably sized merkleblock message.
 func BenchmarkDecodeMerkleBlock(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	// Create a message with random data.
 	pver := ProtocolVersion
 	var m MsgMerkleBlock
@@ -596,6 +1044,8 @@ func BenchmarkDecodeMerkleBlock(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkTxHash performs a benchmark on how long it takes to hash a
 // transaction.
 func BenchmarkTxHash(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		genesisCoinbaseTx.TxHash()
 	}
@@ -604,6 +1054,8 @@ func BenchmarkTxHash(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDoubleHashB performs a benchmark on how long it takes to perform a
 // double hash returning a byte slice.
 func BenchmarkDoubleHashB(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
 	if err := genesisCoinbaseTx.Serialize(&buf); err != nil {
 		b.Errorf("Serialize: unexpected error: %v", err)
@@ -620,6 +1072,8 @@ func BenchmarkDoubleHashB(b *testing.B) {
 // BenchmarkDoubleHashH performs a benchmark on how long it takes to perform
 // a double hash returning a chainhash.Hash.
 func BenchmarkDoubleHashH(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
 	if err := genesisCoinbaseTx.Serialize(&buf); err != nil {
 		b.Errorf("Serialize: unexpected error: %v", err)
diff --git a/wire/blockheader.go b/wire/blockheader.go
index 7af9a3788e..b5bce44e5b 100644
--- a/wire/blockheader.go
+++ b/wire/blockheader.go
@@ -107,16 +107,109 @@ func NewBlockHeader(version int32, prevHash, merkleRootHash *chainhash.Hash,
 // readBlockHeader reads a bitcoin block header from r.  See Deserialize for
 // decoding block headers stored to disk, such as in a database, as opposed to
 // decoding from the wire.
+//
+// DEPRECATED: Use readBlockHeaderBuf instead.
 func readBlockHeader(r io.Reader, pver uint32, bh *BlockHeader) error {
-	return readElements(r, &bh.Version, &bh.PrevBlock, &bh.MerkleRoot,
-		(*uint32Time)(&bh.Timestamp), &bh.Bits, &bh.Nonce)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	err := readBlockHeaderBuf(r, pver, bh, buf)
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+// readBlockHeaderBuf reads a bitcoin block header from r.  See Deserialize for
+// decoding block headers stored to disk, such as in a database, as opposed to
+// decoding from the wire.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readBlockHeaderBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, bh *BlockHeader,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	bh.Version = int32(littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4]))
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, bh.PrevBlock[:]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, bh.MerkleRoot[:]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	bh.Timestamp = time.Unix(int64(littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])), 0)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	bh.Bits = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	bh.Nonce = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 // writeBlockHeader writes a bitcoin block header to w.  See Serialize for
 // encoding block headers to be stored to disk, such as in a database, as
 // opposed to encoding for the wire.
+//
+// DEPRECATED: Use writeBlockHeaderBuf instead.
 func writeBlockHeader(w io.Writer, pver uint32, bh *BlockHeader) error {
-	sec := uint32(bh.Timestamp.Unix())
-	return writeElements(w, bh.Version, &bh.PrevBlock, &bh.MerkleRoot,
-		sec, bh.Bits, bh.Nonce)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	err := writeBlockHeaderBuf(w, pver, bh, buf)
+	binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+// writeBlockHeaderBuf writes a bitcoin block header to w.  See Serialize for
+// encoding block headers to be stored to disk, such as in a database, as
+// opposed to encoding for the wire.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func writeBlockHeaderBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, bh *BlockHeader,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], uint32(bh.Version))
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if _, err := w.Write(bh.PrevBlock[:]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if _, err := w.Write(bh.MerkleRoot[:]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], uint32(bh.Timestamp.Unix()))
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], bh.Bits)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], bh.Nonce)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/wire/common.go b/wire/common.go
index 42c1797b32..d3a82c46c0 100644
--- a/wire/common.go
+++ b/wire/common.go
@@ -73,12 +73,13 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) Return(buf []byte) {
 // free list and returns it as a uint8.
 func (l binaryFreeList) Uint8(r io.Reader) (uint8, error) {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:1]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf); err != nil {
-		l.Return(buf)
 		return 0, err
 	}
 	rv := buf[0]
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return rv, nil
 }
 
@@ -87,12 +88,13 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) Uint8(r io.Reader) (uint8, error) {
 // the resulting uint16.
 func (l binaryFreeList) Uint16(r io.Reader, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder) (uint16, error) {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:2]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf); err != nil {
-		l.Return(buf)
 		return 0, err
 	}
 	rv := byteOrder.Uint16(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return rv, nil
 }
 
@@ -101,12 +103,13 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) Uint16(r io.Reader, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder) (uint16,
 // the resulting uint32.
 func (l binaryFreeList) Uint32(r io.Reader, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder) (uint32, error) {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:4]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf); err != nil {
-		l.Return(buf)
 		return 0, err
 	}
 	rv := byteOrder.Uint32(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return rv, nil
 }
 
@@ -115,12 +118,13 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) Uint32(r io.Reader, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder) (uint32,
 // the resulting uint64.
 func (l binaryFreeList) Uint64(r io.Reader, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder) (uint64, error) {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:8]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf); err != nil {
-		l.Return(buf)
 		return 0, err
 	}
 	rv := byteOrder.Uint64(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return rv, nil
 }
 
@@ -128,9 +132,11 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) Uint64(r io.Reader, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder) (uint64,
 // writes the resulting byte to the given writer.
 func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint8(w io.Writer, val uint8) error {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:1]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	buf[0] = val
 	_, err := w.Write(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -139,9 +145,11 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint8(w io.Writer, val uint8) error {
 // writer.
 func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint16(w io.Writer, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder, val uint16) error {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:2]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	byteOrder.PutUint16(buf, val)
 	_, err := w.Write(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -150,9 +158,11 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint16(w io.Writer, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder, val u
 // writer.
 func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint32(w io.Writer, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder, val uint32) error {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:4]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	byteOrder.PutUint32(buf, val)
 	_, err := w.Write(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -161,9 +171,11 @@ func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint32(w io.Writer, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder, val u
 // writer.
 func (l binaryFreeList) PutUint64(w io.Writer, byteOrder binary.ByteOrder, val uint64) error {
 	buf := l.Borrow()[:8]
+	defer l.Return(buf)
+
 	byteOrder.PutUint64(buf, val)
 	_, err := w.Write(buf)
-	l.Return(buf)
+
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -474,19 +486,30 @@ func writeElements(w io.Writer, elements ...interface{}) error {
 
 // ReadVarInt reads a variable length integer from r and returns it as a uint64.
 func ReadVarInt(r io.Reader, pver uint32) (uint64, error) {
-	discriminant, err := binarySerializer.Uint8(r)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	n, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
+	return n, err
+}
+
+// ReadVarIntBuf reads a variable length integer from r using a preallocated
+// scratch buffer and returns it as a uint64.
+//
+// NOTE: buf MUST at least an 8-byte slice.
+func ReadVarIntBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, buf []byte) (uint64, error) {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
+	discriminant := buf[0]
 
 	var rv uint64
 	switch discriminant {
 	case 0xff:
-		sv, err := binarySerializer.Uint64(r, littleEndian)
-		if err != nil {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf); err != nil {
 			return 0, err
 		}
-		rv = sv
+		rv = littleEndian.Uint64(buf)
 
 		// The encoding is not canonical if the value could have been
 		// encoded using fewer bytes.
@@ -497,11 +520,10 @@ func ReadVarInt(r io.Reader, pver uint32) (uint64, error) {
 		}
 
 	case 0xfe:
-		sv, err := binarySerializer.Uint32(r, littleEndian)
-		if err != nil {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 			return 0, err
 		}
-		rv = uint64(sv)
+		rv = uint64(littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4]))
 
 		// The encoding is not canonical if the value could have been
 		// encoded using fewer bytes.
@@ -512,11 +534,10 @@ func ReadVarInt(r io.Reader, pver uint32) (uint64, error) {
 		}
 
 	case 0xfd:
-		sv, err := binarySerializer.Uint16(r, littleEndian)
-		if err != nil {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:2]); err != nil {
 			return 0, err
 		}
-		rv = uint64(sv)
+		rv = uint64(littleEndian.Uint16(buf[:2]))
 
 		// The encoding is not canonical if the value could have been
 		// encoded using fewer bytes.
@@ -536,31 +557,46 @@ func ReadVarInt(r io.Reader, pver uint32) (uint64, error) {
 // WriteVarInt serializes val to w using a variable number of bytes depending
 // on its value.
 func WriteVarInt(w io.Writer, pver uint32, val uint64) error {
-	if val < 0xfd {
-		return binarySerializer.PutUint8(w, uint8(val))
-	}
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
 
-	if val <= math.MaxUint16 {
-		err := binarySerializer.PutUint8(w, 0xfd)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		return binarySerializer.PutUint16(w, littleEndian, uint16(val))
-	}
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, val, buf)
+	return err
+}
 
-	if val <= math.MaxUint32 {
-		err := binarySerializer.PutUint8(w, 0xfe)
-		if err != nil {
+// WriteVarIntBuf serializes val to w using a variable number of bytes depending
+// on its value using a preallocated scratch buffer.
+//
+// NOTE: buf MUST at least an 8-byte slice.
+func WriteVarIntBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, val uint64, buf []byte) error {
+	switch {
+	case val < 0xfd:
+		buf[0] = uint8(val)
+		_, err := w.Write(buf[:1])
+		return err
+
+	case val <= math.MaxUint16:
+		buf[0] = 0xfd
+		littleEndian.PutUint16(buf[1:3], uint16(val))
+		_, err := w.Write(buf[:3])
+		return err
+
+	case val <= math.MaxUint32:
+		buf[0] = 0xfe
+		littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[1:5], uint32(val))
+		_, err := w.Write(buf[:5])
+		return err
+
+	default:
+		buf[0] = 0xff
+		if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		return binarySerializer.PutUint32(w, littleEndian, uint32(val))
-	}
 
-	err := binarySerializer.PutUint8(w, 0xff)
-	if err != nil {
+		littleEndian.PutUint64(buf, val)
+		_, err := w.Write(buf)
 		return err
 	}
-	return binarySerializer.PutUint64(w, littleEndian, val)
 }
 
 // VarIntSerializeSize returns the number of bytes it would take to serialize
@@ -593,7 +629,27 @@ func VarIntSerializeSize(val uint64) int {
 // maximum block payload size since it helps protect against memory exhaustion
 // attacks and forced panics through malformed messages.
 func ReadVarString(r io.Reader, pver uint32) (string, error) {
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	str, err := readVarStringBuf(r, pver, buf)
+	return str, err
+}
+
+// readVarStringBuf reads a variable length string from r and returns it as a Go
+// string.  A variable length string is encoded as a variable length integer
+// containing the length of the string followed by the bytes that represent the
+// string itself.  An error is returned if the length is greater than the
+// maximum block payload size since it helps protect against memory exhaustion
+// attacks and forced panics through malformed messages.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readVarStringBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, buf []byte) (string, error) {
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -607,22 +663,40 @@ func ReadVarString(r io.Reader, pver uint32) (string, error) {
 		return "", messageError("ReadVarString", str)
 	}
 
-	buf := make([]byte, count)
-	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, buf)
+	str := make([]byte, count)
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, str)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
-	return string(buf), nil
+	return string(str), nil
 }
 
 // WriteVarString serializes str to w as a variable length integer containing
 // the length of the string followed by the bytes that represent the string
 // itself.
 func WriteVarString(w io.Writer, pver uint32, str string) error {
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(len(str)))
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := writeVarStringBuf(w, pver, str, buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+// writeVarStringBuf serializes str to w as a variable length integer containing
+// the length of the string followed by the bytes that represent the string
+// itself.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func writeVarStringBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, str string, buf []byte) error {
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(len(str)), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	_, err = w.Write([]byte(str))
 	return err
 }
@@ -637,7 +711,26 @@ func WriteVarString(w io.Writer, pver uint32, str string) error {
 func ReadVarBytes(r io.Reader, pver uint32, maxAllowed uint32,
 	fieldName string) ([]byte, error) {
 
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	b, err := ReadVarBytesBuf(r, pver, buf, maxAllowed, fieldName)
+	return b, err
+}
+
+// ReadVarBytesBuf reads a variable length byte array.  A byte array is encoded
+// as a varInt containing the length of the array followed by the bytes
+// themselves.  An error is returned if the length is greater than the
+// passed maxAllowed parameter which helps protect against memory exhaustion
+// attacks and forced panics through malformed messages.  The fieldName
+// parameter is only used for the error message so it provides more context in
+// the error. If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing
+// small values. Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's
+// pool and return when the method finishes.
+func ReadVarBytesBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, buf []byte, maxAllowed uint32,
+	fieldName string) ([]byte, error) {
+
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -651,19 +744,33 @@ func ReadVarBytes(r io.Reader, pver uint32, maxAllowed uint32,
 		return nil, messageError("ReadVarBytes", str)
 	}
 
-	b := make([]byte, count)
-	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, b)
+	bytes := make([]byte, count)
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, bytes)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return b, nil
+	return bytes, nil
 }
 
 // WriteVarBytes serializes a variable length byte array to w as a varInt
 // containing the number of bytes, followed by the bytes themselves.
 func WriteVarBytes(w io.Writer, pver uint32, bytes []byte) error {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := WriteVarBytesBuf(w, pver, bytes, buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+// WriteVarBytesBuf serializes a variable length byte array to w as a varInt
+// containing the number of bytes, followed by the bytes themselves. If b is
+// non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small values.
+// Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool and return
+// when the method finishes.
+func WriteVarBytesBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, bytes, buf []byte) error {
 	slen := uint64(len(bytes))
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, slen)
+
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, slen, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/wire/invvect.go b/wire/invvect.go
index 1e706642b4..c0756a8f1c 100644
--- a/wire/invvect.go
+++ b/wire/invvect.go
@@ -74,13 +74,37 @@ func NewInvVect(typ InvType, hash *chainhash.Hash) *InvVect {
 	}
 }
 
-// readInvVect reads an encoded InvVect from r depending on the protocol
+// readInvVectBuf reads an encoded InvVect from r depending on the protocol
 // version.
-func readInvVect(r io.Reader, pver uint32, iv *InvVect) error {
-	return readElements(r, &iv.Type, &iv.Hash)
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readInvVectBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, iv *InvVect, buf []byte) error {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	iv.Type = InvType(littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4]))
+
+	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, iv.Hash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
-// writeInvVect serializes an InvVect to w depending on the protocol version.
-func writeInvVect(w io.Writer, pver uint32, iv *InvVect) error {
-	return writeElements(w, iv.Type, &iv.Hash)
+// writeInvVectBuf serializes an InvVect to w depending on the protocol version.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func writeInvVectBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, iv *InvVect, buf []byte) error {
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], uint32(iv.Type))
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	_, err := w.Write(iv.Hash[:])
+	return err
 }
diff --git a/wire/invvect_test.go b/wire/invvect_test.go
index 1d02c09817..cf29d0a2ff 100644
--- a/wire/invvect_test.go
+++ b/wire/invvect_test.go
@@ -238,10 +238,11 @@ func TestInvVectWire(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	t.Logf("Running %d tests", len(tests))
+	var b [8]byte
 	for i, test := range tests {
 		// Encode to wire format.
 		var buf bytes.Buffer
-		err := writeInvVect(&buf, test.pver, &test.in)
+		err := writeInvVectBuf(&buf, test.pver, &test.in, b[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Errorf("writeInvVect #%d error %v", i, err)
 			continue
@@ -255,7 +256,7 @@ func TestInvVectWire(t *testing.T) {
 		// Decode the message from wire format.
 		var iv InvVect
 		rbuf := bytes.NewReader(test.buf)
-		err = readInvVect(rbuf, test.pver, &iv)
+		err = readInvVectBuf(rbuf, test.pver, &iv, b[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Errorf("readInvVect #%d error %v", i, err)
 			continue
diff --git a/wire/msgblock.go b/wire/msgblock.go
index 4172949dc3..77585e3fb6 100644
--- a/wire/msgblock.go
+++ b/wire/msgblock.go
@@ -62,12 +62,15 @@ func (msg *MsgBlock) ClearTransactions() {
 // See Deserialize for decoding blocks stored to disk, such as in a database, as
 // opposed to decoding blocks from the wire.
 func (msg *MsgBlock) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := readBlockHeader(r, pver, &msg.Header)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := readBlockHeaderBuf(r, pver, &msg.Header, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	txCount, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	txCount, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -81,10 +84,13 @@ func (msg *MsgBlock) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) er
 		return messageError("MsgBlock.BtcDecode", str)
 	}
 
+	scriptBuf := scriptPool.Borrow()
+	defer scriptPool.Return(scriptBuf)
+
 	msg.Transactions = make([]*MsgTx, 0, txCount)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < txCount; i++ {
 		tx := MsgTx{}
-		err := tx.BtcDecode(r, pver, enc)
+		err := tx.btcDecode(r, pver, enc, buf, scriptBuf[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -129,15 +135,18 @@ func (msg *MsgBlock) DeserializeNoWitness(r io.Reader) error {
 func (msg *MsgBlock) DeserializeTxLoc(r *bytes.Buffer) ([]TxLoc, error) {
 	fullLen := r.Len()
 
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
 	// At the current time, there is no difference between the wire encoding
 	// at protocol version 0 and the stable long-term storage format.  As
 	// a result, make use of existing wire protocol functions.
-	err := readBlockHeader(r, 0, &msg.Header)
+	err := readBlockHeaderBuf(r, 0, &msg.Header, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	txCount, err := ReadVarInt(r, 0)
+	txCount, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, 0, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -151,6 +160,9 @@ func (msg *MsgBlock) DeserializeTxLoc(r *bytes.Buffer) ([]TxLoc, error) {
 		return nil, messageError("MsgBlock.DeserializeTxLoc", str)
 	}
 
+	scriptBuf := scriptPool.Borrow()
+	defer scriptPool.Return(scriptBuf)
+
 	// Deserialize each transaction while keeping track of its location
 	// within the byte stream.
 	msg.Transactions = make([]*MsgTx, 0, txCount)
@@ -158,7 +170,7 @@ func (msg *MsgBlock) DeserializeTxLoc(r *bytes.Buffer) ([]TxLoc, error) {
 	for i := uint64(0); i < txCount; i++ {
 		txLocs[i].TxStart = fullLen - r.Len()
 		tx := MsgTx{}
-		err := tx.Deserialize(r)
+		err := tx.btcDecode(r, 0, WitnessEncoding, buf, scriptBuf[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -174,18 +186,21 @@ func (msg *MsgBlock) DeserializeTxLoc(r *bytes.Buffer) ([]TxLoc, error) {
 // See Serialize for encoding blocks to be stored to disk, such as in a
 // database, as opposed to encoding blocks for the wire.
 func (msg *MsgBlock) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := writeBlockHeader(w, pver, &msg.Header)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := writeBlockHeaderBuf(w, pver, &msg.Header, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(len(msg.Transactions)))
+	err = WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(len(msg.Transactions)), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, tx := range msg.Transactions {
-		err = tx.BtcEncode(w, pver, enc)
+		err = tx.btcEncode(w, pver, enc, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgcfcheckpt.go b/wire/msgcfcheckpt.go
index fc3fd53295..397a3c137a 100644
--- a/wire/msgcfcheckpt.go
+++ b/wire/msgcfcheckpt.go
@@ -52,20 +52,22 @@ func (msg *MsgCFCheckpt) AddCFHeader(header *chainhash.Hash) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgCFCheckpt) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
 	// Read filter type
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.FilterType = FilterType(buf[0])
 
 	// Read stop hash
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.StopHash)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.StopHash[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Read number of filter headers
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -80,7 +82,7 @@ func (msg *MsgCFCheckpt) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding)
 	msg.FilterHeaders = make([]*chainhash.Hash, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		var cfh chainhash.Hash
-		err := readElement(r, &cfh)
+		_, err := io.ReadFull(r, cfh[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -93,27 +95,29 @@ func (msg *MsgCFCheckpt) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding)
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgCFCheckpt) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
 	// Write filter type
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.FilterType)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Write stop hash
-	err = writeElement(w, msg.StopHash)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := w.Write(msg.StopHash[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Write length of FilterHeaders slice
 	count := len(msg.FilterHeaders)
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, cfh := range msg.FilterHeaders {
-		err := writeElement(w, cfh)
+		_, err := w.Write(cfh[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgcfheaders.go b/wire/msgcfheaders.go
index 40d30f9b46..e1af2c324d 100644
--- a/wire/msgcfheaders.go
+++ b/wire/msgcfheaders.go
@@ -48,26 +48,27 @@ func (msg *MsgCFHeaders) AddCFHash(hash *chainhash.Hash) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgCFHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
 	// Read filter type
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.FilterType = FilterType(buf[0])
 
 	// Read stop hash
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.StopHash)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.StopHash[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Read prev filter header
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.PrevFilterHeader)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.PrevFilterHeader[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Read number of filter headers
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ func (msg *MsgCFHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding)
 	msg.FilterHashes = make([]*chainhash.Hash, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		var cfh chainhash.Hash
-		err := readElement(r, &cfh)
+		_, err := io.ReadFull(r, cfh[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -98,40 +99,40 @@ func (msg *MsgCFHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding)
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgCFHeaders) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
+	count := len(msg.FilterHashes)
+	if count > MaxCFHeadersPerMsg {
+		str := fmt.Sprintf("too many committed filter headers for "+
+			"message [count %v, max %v]", count,
+			MaxBlockHeadersPerMsg)
+		return messageError("MsgCFHeaders.BtcEncode", str)
+	}
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
 	// Write filter type
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.FilterType)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Write stop hash
-	err = writeElement(w, msg.StopHash)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := w.Write(msg.StopHash[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Write prev filter header
-	err = writeElement(w, msg.PrevFilterHeader)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := w.Write(msg.PrevFilterHeader[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Limit to max committed headers per message.
-	count := len(msg.FilterHashes)
-	if count > MaxCFHeadersPerMsg {
-		str := fmt.Sprintf("too many committed filter headers for "+
-			"message [count %v, max %v]", count,
-			MaxBlockHeadersPerMsg)
-		return messageError("MsgCFHeaders.BtcEncode", str)
-	}
-
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, cfh := range msg.FilterHashes {
-		err := writeElement(w, cfh)
+		_, err := w.Write(cfh[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgcfilter.go b/wire/msgcfilter.go
index 097590b2ce..d7cf16378a 100644
--- a/wire/msgcfilter.go
+++ b/wire/msgcfilter.go
@@ -38,19 +38,22 @@ type MsgCFilter struct {
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgCFilter) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
 	// Read filter type
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.FilterType = FilterType(buf[0])
 
 	// Read the hash of the filter's block
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.BlockHash)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.BlockHash[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Read filter data
-	msg.Data, err = ReadVarBytes(r, pver, MaxCFilterDataSize,
+	var err error
+	msg.Data, err = ReadVarBytesBuf(r, pver, buf, MaxCFilterDataSize,
 		"cfilter data")
 	return err
 }
@@ -65,17 +68,20 @@ func (msg *MsgCFilter) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) er
 		return messageError("MsgCFilter.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.FilterType)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = writeElement(w, msg.BlockHash)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := w.Write(msg.BlockHash[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return WriteVarBytes(w, pver, msg.Data)
+	err := WriteVarBytesBuf(w, pver, msg.Data, buf)
+	return err
 }
 
 // Deserialize decodes a filter from r into the receiver using a format that is
diff --git a/wire/msggetblocks.go b/wire/msggetblocks.go
index caf4400ca4..da8bb878d2 100644
--- a/wire/msggetblocks.go
+++ b/wire/msggetblocks.go
@@ -51,16 +51,20 @@ func (msg *MsgGetBlocks) AddBlockLocatorHash(hash *chainhash.Hash) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetBlocks) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.ProtocolVersion)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.ProtocolVersion = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
 
 	// Read num block locator hashes and limit to max.
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	if count > MaxBlockLocatorsPerMsg {
 		str := fmt.Sprintf("too many block locator hashes for message "+
 			"[count %v, max %v]", count, MaxBlockLocatorsPerMsg)
@@ -73,14 +77,15 @@ func (msg *MsgGetBlocks) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding
 	msg.BlockLocatorHashes = make([]*chainhash.Hash, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		hash := &locatorHashes[i]
-		err := readElement(r, hash)
+		_, err := io.ReadFull(r, hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		msg.AddBlockLocatorHash(hash)
 	}
 
-	return readElement(r, &msg.HashStop)
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, msg.HashStop[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
@@ -93,24 +98,28 @@ func (msg *MsgGetBlocks) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding
 		return messageError("MsgGetBlocks.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.ProtocolVersion)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], msg.ProtocolVersion)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, hash := range msg.BlockLocatorHashes {
-		err = writeElement(w, hash)
+		_, err := w.Write(hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	return writeElement(w, &msg.HashStop)
+	_, err = w.Write(msg.HashStop[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msggetcfcheckpt.go b/wire/msggetcfcheckpt.go
index c30a86cecd..c57aa5adaf 100644
--- a/wire/msggetcfcheckpt.go
+++ b/wire/msggetcfcheckpt.go
@@ -21,23 +21,31 @@ type MsgGetCFCheckpt struct {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetCFCheckpt) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.FilterType = FilterType(buf[0])
 
-	return readElement(r, &msg.StopHash)
+	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.StopHash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetCFCheckpt) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.FilterType)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return writeElement(w, &msg.StopHash)
+	_, err := w.Write(msg.StopHash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msggetcfheaders.go b/wire/msggetcfheaders.go
index 03a1caf72f..e26f439808 100644
--- a/wire/msggetcfheaders.go
+++ b/wire/msggetcfheaders.go
@@ -22,33 +22,41 @@ type MsgGetCFHeaders struct {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetCFHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.FilterType = FilterType(buf[0])
 
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.StartHeight)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.StartHeight = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
 
-	return readElement(r, &msg.StopHash)
+	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.StopHash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetCFHeaders) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.FilterType)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = writeElement(w, &msg.StartHeight)
-	if err != nil {
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], msg.StartHeight)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return writeElement(w, &msg.StopHash)
+	_, err := w.Write(msg.StopHash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msggetcfilters.go b/wire/msggetcfilters.go
index 8002413826..1e6e225587 100644
--- a/wire/msggetcfilters.go
+++ b/wire/msggetcfilters.go
@@ -26,33 +26,41 @@ type MsgGetCFilters struct {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetCFilters) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.FilterType = FilterType(buf[0])
 
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.StartHeight)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.StartHeight = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
 
-	return readElement(r, &msg.StopHash)
+	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.StopHash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetCFilters) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, _ MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.FilterType)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.FilterType)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = writeElement(w, &msg.StartHeight)
-	if err != nil {
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], msg.StartHeight)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return writeElement(w, &msg.StopHash)
+	_, err := w.Write(msg.StopHash[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msggetdata.go b/wire/msggetdata.go
index 5837fac5ba..f306845677 100644
--- a/wire/msggetdata.go
+++ b/wire/msggetdata.go
@@ -38,7 +38,10 @@ func (msg *MsgGetData) AddInvVect(iv *InvVect) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetData) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -55,7 +58,7 @@ func (msg *MsgGetData) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 	msg.InvList = make([]*InvVect, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		iv := &invList[i]
-		err := readInvVect(r, pver, iv)
+		err := readInvVectBuf(r, pver, iv, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -75,13 +78,16 @@ func (msg *MsgGetData) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 		return messageError("MsgGetData.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, iv := range msg.InvList {
-		err := writeInvVect(w, pver, iv)
+		err := writeInvVectBuf(w, pver, iv, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msggetheaders.go b/wire/msggetheaders.go
index 0bbe42cb03..f49e4c0dd4 100644
--- a/wire/msggetheaders.go
+++ b/wire/msggetheaders.go
@@ -48,16 +48,20 @@ func (msg *MsgGetHeaders) AddBlockLocatorHash(hash *chainhash.Hash) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgGetHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := readElement(r, &msg.ProtocolVersion)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.ProtocolVersion = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
 
 	// Read num block locator hashes and limit to max.
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	if count > MaxBlockLocatorsPerMsg {
 		str := fmt.Sprintf("too many block locator hashes for message "+
 			"[count %v, max %v]", count, MaxBlockLocatorsPerMsg)
@@ -70,14 +74,15 @@ func (msg *MsgGetHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncodin
 	msg.BlockLocatorHashes = make([]*chainhash.Hash, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		hash := &locatorHashes[i]
-		err := readElement(r, hash)
+		_, err := io.ReadFull(r, hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		msg.AddBlockLocatorHash(hash)
 	}
 
-	return readElement(r, &msg.HashStop)
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, msg.HashStop[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
@@ -91,24 +96,28 @@ func (msg *MsgGetHeaders) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncodin
 		return messageError("MsgGetHeaders.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := writeElement(w, msg.ProtocolVersion)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], msg.ProtocolVersion)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, hash := range msg.BlockLocatorHashes {
-		err := writeElement(w, hash)
+		_, err := w.Write(hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	return writeElement(w, &msg.HashStop)
+	_, err = w.Write(msg.HashStop[:])
+	return err
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msgheaders.go b/wire/msgheaders.go
index 7d18d930e0..46edc59395 100644
--- a/wire/msgheaders.go
+++ b/wire/msgheaders.go
@@ -37,7 +37,10 @@ func (msg *MsgHeaders) AddBlockHeader(bh *BlockHeader) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -55,12 +58,12 @@ func (msg *MsgHeaders) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 	msg.Headers = make([]*BlockHeader, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		bh := &headers[i]
-		err := readBlockHeader(r, pver, bh)
+		err := readBlockHeaderBuf(r, pver, bh, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		txCount, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+		txCount, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -88,13 +91,16 @@ func (msg *MsgHeaders) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 		return messageError("MsgHeaders.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, bh := range msg.Headers {
-		err := writeBlockHeader(w, pver, bh)
+		err := writeBlockHeaderBuf(w, pver, bh, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -103,7 +109,7 @@ func (msg *MsgHeaders) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 		// of transactions on header messages.  This is really just an
 		// artifact of the way the original implementation serializes
 		// block headers, but it is required.
-		err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, 0)
+		err = WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, 0, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msginv.go b/wire/msginv.go
index 5377b179c3..4be528dec6 100644
--- a/wire/msginv.go
+++ b/wire/msginv.go
@@ -46,7 +46,10 @@ func (msg *MsgInv) AddInvVect(iv *InvVect) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgInv) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ func (msg *MsgInv) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) erro
 	msg.InvList = make([]*InvVect, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		iv := &invList[i]
-		err := readInvVect(r, pver, iv)
+		err := readInvVectBuf(r, pver, iv, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -83,13 +86,16 @@ func (msg *MsgInv) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) erro
 		return messageError("MsgInv.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, iv := range msg.InvList {
-		err := writeInvVect(w, pver, iv)
+		err := writeInvVectBuf(w, pver, iv, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgmerkleblock.go b/wire/msgmerkleblock.go
index d2ee472178..eacbdc5847 100644
--- a/wire/msgmerkleblock.go
+++ b/wire/msgmerkleblock.go
@@ -49,18 +49,21 @@ func (msg *MsgMerkleBlock) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncodi
 		return messageError("MsgMerkleBlock.BtcDecode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := readBlockHeader(r, pver, &msg.Header)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := readBlockHeaderBuf(r, pver, &msg.Header, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.Transactions)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.Transactions = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
 
 	// Read num block locator hashes and limit to max.
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -76,14 +79,14 @@ func (msg *MsgMerkleBlock) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncodi
 	msg.Hashes = make([]*chainhash.Hash, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		hash := &hashes[i]
-		err := readElement(r, hash)
+		_, err := io.ReadFull(r, hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		msg.AddTxHash(hash)
 	}
 
-	msg.Flags, err = ReadVarBytes(r, pver, maxFlagsPerMerkleBlock,
+	msg.Flags, err = ReadVarBytesBuf(r, pver, buf, maxFlagsPerMerkleBlock,
 		"merkle block flags size")
 	return err
 }
@@ -111,28 +114,32 @@ func (msg *MsgMerkleBlock) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncodi
 		return messageError("MsgMerkleBlock.BtcDecode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := writeBlockHeader(w, pver, &msg.Header)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := writeBlockHeaderBuf(w, pver, &msg.Header, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = writeElement(w, msg.Transactions)
-	if err != nil {
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], msg.Transactions)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(numHashes))
+	err = WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(numHashes), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, hash := range msg.Hashes {
-		err = writeElement(w, hash)
+		_, err := w.Write(hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	return WriteVarBytes(w, pver, msg.Flags)
+	err = WriteVarBytesBuf(w, pver, msg.Flags, buf)
+	return err
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msgnotfound.go b/wire/msgnotfound.go
index e867681668..23486d48b6 100644
--- a/wire/msgnotfound.go
+++ b/wire/msgnotfound.go
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ func (msg *MsgNotFound) AddInvVect(iv *InvVect) error {
 // BtcDecode decodes r using the bitcoin protocol encoding into the receiver.
 // This is part of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgNotFound) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -52,7 +55,7 @@ func (msg *MsgNotFound) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 	msg.InvList = make([]*InvVect, 0, count)
 	for i := uint64(0); i < count; i++ {
 		iv := &invList[i]
-		err := readInvVect(r, pver, iv)
+		err := readInvVectBuf(r, pver, iv, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -72,13 +75,16 @@ func (msg *MsgNotFound) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding)
 		return messageError("MsgNotFound.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(count))
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(count), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, iv := range msg.InvList {
-		err := writeInvVect(w, pver, iv)
+		err := writeInvVectBuf(w, pver, iv, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgping.go b/wire/msgping.go
index b2f346e0e1..dd5e61e6bf 100644
--- a/wire/msgping.go
+++ b/wire/msgping.go
@@ -32,10 +32,11 @@ func (msg *MsgPing) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) err
 	// NOTE: > is not a mistake here.  The BIP0031 was defined as AFTER
 	// the version unlike most others.
 	if pver > BIP0031Version {
-		err := readElement(r, &msg.Nonce)
+		nonce, err := binarySerializer.Uint64(r, littleEndian)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		msg.Nonce = nonce
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ func (msg *MsgPing) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) err
 	// NOTE: > is not a mistake here.  The BIP0031 was defined as AFTER
 	// the version unlike most others.
 	if pver > BIP0031Version {
-		err := writeElement(w, msg.Nonce)
+		err := binarySerializer.PutUint64(w, littleEndian, msg.Nonce)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgpong.go b/wire/msgpong.go
index eec80d8d5b..01e83792ef 100644
--- a/wire/msgpong.go
+++ b/wire/msgpong.go
@@ -31,7 +31,13 @@ func (msg *MsgPong) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) err
 		return messageError("MsgPong.BtcDecode", str)
 	}
 
-	return readElement(r, &msg.Nonce)
+	nonce, err := binarySerializer.Uint64(r, littleEndian)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	msg.Nonce = nonce
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 // BtcEncode encodes the receiver to w using the bitcoin protocol encoding.
@@ -45,7 +51,7 @@ func (msg *MsgPong) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) err
 		return messageError("MsgPong.BtcEncode", str)
 	}
 
-	return writeElement(w, msg.Nonce)
+	return binarySerializer.PutUint64(w, littleEndian, msg.Nonce)
 }
 
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
diff --git a/wire/msgreject.go b/wire/msgreject.go
index a00eeff6f6..ea16dd19f4 100644
--- a/wire/msgreject.go
+++ b/wire/msgreject.go
@@ -81,21 +81,24 @@ func (msg *MsgReject) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) e
 	}
 
 	// Command that was rejected.
-	cmd, err := ReadVarString(r, pver)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	cmd, err := readVarStringBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	msg.Cmd = cmd
 
 	// Code indicating why the command was rejected.
-	err = readElement(r, &msg.Code)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.Code = RejectCode(buf[0])
 
 	// Human readable string with specific details (over and above the
 	// reject code above) about why the command was rejected.
-	reason, err := ReadVarString(r, pver)
+	reason, err := readVarStringBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -104,7 +107,7 @@ func (msg *MsgReject) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) e
 	// CmdBlock and CmdTx messages have an additional hash field that
 	// identifies the specific block or transaction.
 	if msg.Cmd == CmdBlock || msg.Cmd == CmdTx {
-		err := readElement(r, &msg.Hash)
+		_, err := io.ReadFull(r, msg.Hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -123,20 +126,23 @@ func (msg *MsgReject) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) e
 	}
 
 	// Command that was rejected.
-	err := WriteVarString(w, pver, msg.Cmd)
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := writeVarStringBuf(w, pver, msg.Cmd, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Code indicating why the command was rejected.
-	err = writeElement(w, msg.Code)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf[0] = byte(msg.Code)
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:1]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Human readable string with specific details (over and above the
 	// reject code above) about why the command was rejected.
-	err = WriteVarString(w, pver, msg.Reason)
+	err = writeVarStringBuf(w, pver, msg.Reason, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -144,7 +150,7 @@ func (msg *MsgReject) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) e
 	// CmdBlock and CmdTx messages have an additional hash field that
 	// identifies the specific block or transaction.
 	if msg.Cmd == CmdBlock || msg.Cmd == CmdTx {
-		err := writeElement(w, &msg.Hash)
+		_, err := w.Write(msg.Hash[:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/wire/msgtx.go b/wire/msgtx.go
index d2b52dba24..eab265c35d 100644
--- a/wire/msgtx.go
+++ b/wire/msgtx.go
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ const (
 	// scripts per transaction being simultaneously deserialized by 125
 	// peers.  Thus, the peak usage of the free list is 12,500 * 512 =
 	// 6,400,000 bytes.
-	freeListMaxItems = 12500
+	freeListMaxItems = 125
 
 	// maxWitnessItemsPerInput is the maximum number of witness items to
 	// be read for the witness data for a single TxIn. This number is
@@ -146,6 +146,10 @@ const (
 	WitnessFlag TxFlag = 0x01
 )
 
+const scriptSlabSize = 1 << 22
+
+type scriptSlab [scriptSlabSize]byte
+
 // scriptFreeList defines a free list of byte slices (up to the maximum number
 // defined by the freeListMaxItems constant) that have a cap according to the
 // freeListMaxScriptSize constant.  It is used to provide temporary buffers for
@@ -154,7 +158,7 @@ const (
 //
 // The caller can obtain a buffer from the free list by calling the Borrow
 // function and should return it via the Return function when done using it.
-type scriptFreeList chan []byte
+type scriptFreeList chan *scriptSlab
 
 // Borrow returns a byte slice from the free list with a length according the
 // provided size.  A new buffer is allocated if there are any items available.
@@ -163,18 +167,14 @@ type scriptFreeList chan []byte
 // a new buffer of the appropriate size is allocated and returned.  It is safe
 // to attempt to return said buffer via the Return function as it will be
 // ignored and allowed to go the garbage collector.
-func (c scriptFreeList) Borrow(size uint64) []byte {
-	if size > freeListMaxScriptSize {
-		return make([]byte, size)
-	}
-
-	var buf []byte
+func (c scriptFreeList) Borrow() *scriptSlab {
+	var buf *scriptSlab
 	select {
 	case buf = <-c:
 	default:
-		buf = make([]byte, freeListMaxScriptSize)
+		buf = new(scriptSlab)
 	}
-	return buf[:size]
+	return buf
 }
 
 // Return puts the provided byte slice back on the free list when it has a cap
@@ -182,13 +182,7 @@ func (c scriptFreeList) Borrow(size uint64) []byte {
 // the Borrow function.  Any slices that are not of the appropriate size, such
 // as those whose size is greater than the largest allowed free list item size
 // are simply ignored so they can go to the garbage collector.
-func (c scriptFreeList) Return(buf []byte) {
-	// Ignore any buffers returned that aren't the expected size for the
-	// free list.
-	if cap(buf) != freeListMaxScriptSize {
-		return
-	}
-
+func (c scriptFreeList) Return(buf *scriptSlab) {
 	// Return the buffer to the free list when it's not full.  Otherwise let
 	// it be garbage collected.
 	select {
@@ -201,7 +195,7 @@ func (c scriptFreeList) Return(buf []byte) {
 // Create the concurrent safe free list to use for script deserialization.  As
 // previously described, this free list is maintained to significantly reduce
 // the number of allocations.
-var scriptPool scriptFreeList = make(chan []byte, freeListMaxItems)
+var scriptPool = make(scriptFreeList, freeListMaxItems)
 
 // OutPoint defines a bitcoin data type that is used to track previous
 // transaction outputs.
@@ -452,13 +446,25 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) Copy() *MsgTx {
 // See Deserialize for decoding transactions stored to disk, such as in a
 // database, as opposed to decoding transactions from the wire.
 func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	version, err := binarySerializer.Uint32(r, littleEndian)
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	sbuf := scriptPool.Borrow()
+	defer scriptPool.Return(sbuf)
+
+	err := msg.btcDecode(r, pver, enc, buf, sbuf[:])
+	return err
+}
+
+func (msg *MsgTx) btcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding,
+	buf, sbuf []byte) error {
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	msg.Version = int32(version)
+	msg.Version = int32(littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4]))
 
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -482,7 +488,7 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 
 		// With the Segregated Witness specific fields decoded, we can
 		// now read in the actual txin count.
-		count, err = ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+		count, err = ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -498,35 +504,6 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 		return messageError("MsgTx.BtcDecode", str)
 	}
 
-	// returnScriptBuffers is a closure that returns any script buffers that
-	// were borrowed from the pool when there are any deserialization
-	// errors.  This is only valid to call before the final step which
-	// replaces the scripts with the location in a contiguous buffer and
-	// returns them.
-	returnScriptBuffers := func() {
-		for _, txIn := range msg.TxIn {
-			if txIn == nil {
-				continue
-			}
-
-			if txIn.SignatureScript != nil {
-				scriptPool.Return(txIn.SignatureScript)
-			}
-
-			for _, witnessElem := range txIn.Witness {
-				if witnessElem != nil {
-					scriptPool.Return(witnessElem)
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		for _, txOut := range msg.TxOut {
-			if txOut == nil || txOut.PkScript == nil {
-				continue
-			}
-			scriptPool.Return(txOut.PkScript)
-		}
-	}
-
 	// Deserialize the inputs.
 	var totalScriptSize uint64
 	txIns := make([]TxIn, count)
@@ -536,17 +513,16 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 		// and needs to be returned to the pool on error.
 		ti := &txIns[i]
 		msg.TxIn[i] = ti
-		err = readTxIn(r, pver, msg.Version, ti)
+		err = readTxInBuf(r, pver, msg.Version, ti, buf, sbuf)
 		if err != nil {
-			returnScriptBuffers()
 			return err
 		}
 		totalScriptSize += uint64(len(ti.SignatureScript))
+		sbuf = sbuf[len(ti.SignatureScript):]
 	}
 
-	count, err = ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+	count, err = ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
-		returnScriptBuffers()
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -554,7 +530,6 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 	// message.  It would be possible to cause memory exhaustion and panics
 	// without a sane upper bound on this count.
 	if count > uint64(maxTxOutPerMessage) {
-		returnScriptBuffers()
 		str := fmt.Sprintf("too many output transactions to fit into "+
 			"max message size [count %d, max %d]", count,
 			maxTxOutPerMessage)
@@ -569,12 +544,12 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 		// and needs to be returned to the pool on error.
 		to := &txOuts[i]
 		msg.TxOut[i] = to
-		err = ReadTxOut(r, pver, msg.Version, to)
+		err = readTxOutBuf(r, pver, msg.Version, to, buf, sbuf)
 		if err != nil {
-			returnScriptBuffers()
 			return err
 		}
 		totalScriptSize += uint64(len(to.PkScript))
+		sbuf = sbuf[len(to.PkScript):]
 	}
 
 	// If the transaction's flag byte isn't 0x00 at this point, then one or
@@ -584,16 +559,14 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 			// For each input, the witness is encoded as a stack
 			// with one or more items. Therefore, we first read a
 			// varint which encodes the number of stack items.
-			witCount, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+			witCount, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 			if err != nil {
-				returnScriptBuffers()
 				return err
 			}
 
 			// Prevent a possible memory exhaustion attack by
 			// limiting the witCount value to a sane upper bound.
 			if witCount > maxWitnessItemsPerInput {
-				returnScriptBuffers()
 				str := fmt.Sprintf("too many witness items to fit "+
 					"into max message size [count %d, max %d]",
 					witCount, maxWitnessItemsPerInput)
@@ -605,23 +578,23 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 			// item itself.
 			txin.Witness = make([][]byte, witCount)
 			for j := uint64(0); j < witCount; j++ {
-				txin.Witness[j], err = readScript(
-					r, pver, maxWitnessItemSize, "script witness item",
+				txin.Witness[j], err = readScriptBuf(
+					r, pver, buf, sbuf, maxWitnessItemSize,
+					"script witness item",
 				)
 				if err != nil {
-					returnScriptBuffers()
 					return err
 				}
 				totalScriptSize += uint64(len(txin.Witness[j]))
+				sbuf = sbuf[len(txin.Witness[j]):]
 			}
 		}
 	}
 
-	msg.LockTime, err = binarySerializer.Uint32(r, littleEndian)
-	if err != nil {
-		returnScriptBuffers()
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	msg.LockTime = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
 
 	// Create a single allocation to house all of the scripts and set each
 	// input signature script and output public key script to the
@@ -652,9 +625,6 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 		msg.TxIn[i].SignatureScript = scripts[offset:end:end]
 		offset += scriptSize
 
-		// Return the temporary script buffer to the pool.
-		scriptPool.Return(signatureScript)
-
 		for j := 0; j < len(msg.TxIn[i].Witness); j++ {
 			// Copy each item within the witness stack for this
 			// input into the contiguous buffer at the appropriate
@@ -668,10 +638,6 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 			end := offset + witnessElemSize
 			msg.TxIn[i].Witness[j] = scripts[offset:end:end]
 			offset += witnessElemSize
-
-			// Return the temporary buffer used for the witness stack
-			// item to the pool.
-			scriptPool.Return(witnessElem)
 		}
 	}
 	for i := 0; i < len(msg.TxOut); i++ {
@@ -686,9 +652,6 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcDecode(r io.Reader, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 		end := offset + scriptSize
 		msg.TxOut[i].PkScript = scripts[offset:end:end]
 		offset += scriptSize
-
-		// Return the temporary script buffer to the pool.
-		scriptPool.Return(pkScript)
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -724,8 +687,18 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) DeserializeNoWitness(r io.Reader) error {
 // See Serialize for encoding transactions to be stored to disk, such as in a
 // database, as opposed to encoding transactions for the wire.
 func (msg *MsgTx) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error {
-	err := binarySerializer.PutUint32(w, littleEndian, uint32(msg.Version))
-	if err != nil {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := msg.btcEncode(w, pver, enc, buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+func (msg *MsgTx) btcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], uint32(msg.Version))
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -745,26 +718,26 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 	}
 
 	count := uint64(len(msg.TxIn))
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, count)
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, count, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, ti := range msg.TxIn {
-		err = writeTxIn(w, pver, msg.Version, ti)
+		err = writeTxInBuf(w, pver, msg.Version, ti, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
 	count = uint64(len(msg.TxOut))
-	err = WriteVarInt(w, pver, count)
+	err = WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, count, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	for _, to := range msg.TxOut {
-		err = WriteTxOut(w, pver, msg.Version, to)
+		err = WriteTxOutBuf(w, pver, msg.Version, to, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -775,14 +748,16 @@ func (msg *MsgTx) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32, enc MessageEncoding) error
 	// within the transaction.
 	if doWitness {
 		for _, ti := range msg.TxIn {
-			err = writeTxWitness(w, pver, msg.Version, ti.Witness)
+			err = writeTxWitnessBuf(w, pver, msg.Version, ti.Witness, buf)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		}
 	}
 
-	return binarySerializer.PutUint32(w, littleEndian, msg.LockTime)
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], msg.LockTime)
+	_, err = w.Write(buf[:4])
+	return err
 }
 
 // HasWitness returns false if none of the inputs within the transaction
@@ -939,26 +914,58 @@ func NewMsgTx(version int32) *MsgTx {
 	}
 }
 
-// readOutPoint reads the next sequence of bytes from r as an OutPoint.
-func readOutPoint(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, op *OutPoint) error {
+// readOutPointBuf reads the next sequence of bytes from r as an OutPoint.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readOutPointBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, op *OutPoint,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
 	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, op.Hash[:])
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	op.Index, err = binarySerializer.Uint32(r, littleEndian)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	op.Index = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// WriteOutPoint encodes op to the bitcoin protocol encoding for an OutPoint to
+// w.
+func WriteOutPoint(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, op *OutPoint) error {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := writeOutPointBuf(w, pver, version, op, buf)
 	return err
 }
 
-// WriteOutPoint encodes op to the bitcoin protocol encoding for an OutPoint
+// writeOutPointBuf encodes op to the bitcoin protocol encoding for an OutPoint
 // to w.
-func WriteOutPoint(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, op *OutPoint) error {
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func writeOutPointBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, op *OutPoint,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
 	_, err := w.Write(op.Hash[:])
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return binarySerializer.PutUint32(w, littleEndian, op.Index)
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], op.Index)
+	_, err = w.Write(buf[:4])
+	return err
 }
 
 // readScript reads a variable length byte array that represents a transaction
@@ -968,8 +975,16 @@ func WriteOutPoint(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, op *OutPoint) error
 // memory exhaustion attacks and forced panics through malformed messages.  The
 // fieldName parameter is only used for the error message so it provides more
 // context in the error.
-func readScript(r io.Reader, pver uint32, maxAllowed uint32, fieldName string) ([]byte, error) {
-	count, err := ReadVarInt(r, pver)
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readScriptBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, buf, s []byte,
+	maxAllowed uint32, fieldName string) ([]byte, error) {
+
+	count, err := ReadVarIntBuf(r, pver, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -983,58 +998,96 @@ func readScript(r io.Reader, pver uint32, maxAllowed uint32, fieldName string) (
 		return nil, messageError("readScript", str)
 	}
 
-	b := scriptPool.Borrow(count)
-	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, b)
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, s[:count])
 	if err != nil {
-		scriptPool.Return(b)
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return b, nil
+	return s[:count], nil
 }
 
-// readTxIn reads the next sequence of bytes from r as a transaction input
+// readTxInBuf reads the next sequence of bytes from r as a transaction input
 // (TxIn).
-func readTxIn(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, ti *TxIn) error {
-	err := readOutPoint(r, pver, version, &ti.PreviousOutPoint)
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readTxInBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, ti *TxIn,
+	buf, s []byte) error {
+
+	err := readOutPointBuf(r, pver, version, &ti.PreviousOutPoint, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	ti.SignatureScript, err = readScript(r, pver, MaxMessagePayload,
+	ti.SignatureScript, err = readScriptBuf(r, pver, buf, s, MaxMessagePayload,
 		"transaction input signature script")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return readElement(r, &ti.Sequence)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	ti.Sequence = littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])
+
+	return nil
 }
 
-// writeTxIn encodes ti to the bitcoin protocol encoding for a transaction
-// input (TxIn) to w.
-func writeTxIn(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, ti *TxIn) error {
-	err := WriteOutPoint(w, pver, version, &ti.PreviousOutPoint)
+// writeTxInBuf encodes ti to the bitcoin protocol encoding for a transaction
+// input (TxIn) to w. If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for
+// serializing small values. Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the
+// binarySerializer's pool and return when the method finishes.
+func writeTxInBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, ti *TxIn,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	err := writeOutPointBuf(w, pver, version, &ti.PreviousOutPoint, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = WriteVarBytes(w, pver, ti.SignatureScript)
+	err = WriteVarBytesBuf(w, pver, ti.SignatureScript, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return binarySerializer.PutUint32(w, littleEndian, ti.Sequence)
+	littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], ti.Sequence)
+	_, err = w.Write(buf[:4])
+
+	return err
 }
 
 // ReadTxOut reads the next sequence of bytes from r as a transaction output
 // (TxOut).
 func ReadTxOut(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, to *TxOut) error {
-	err := readElement(r, &to.Value)
+	var s scriptSlab
+
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := readTxOutBuf(r, pver, version, to, buf, s[:])
+	return err
+}
+
+// readTxOutBuf reads the next sequence of bytes from r as a transaction output
+// (TxOut). If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing
+// small values. Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's
+// pool and return when the method finishes.
+func readTxOutBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, to *TxOut,
+	buf, s []byte) error {
+
+	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	to.Value = int64(littleEndian.Uint64(buf))
 
-	to.PkScript, err = readScript(r, pver, MaxMessagePayload,
-		"transaction output public key script")
+	to.PkScript, err = readScriptBuf(
+		r, pver, buf, s, MaxMessagePayload,
+		"transaction output public key script",
+	)
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -1044,26 +1097,49 @@ func ReadTxOut(r io.Reader, pver uint32, version int32, to *TxOut) error {
 // NOTE: This function is exported in order to allow txscript to compute the
 // new sighashes for witness transactions (BIP0143).
 func WriteTxOut(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, to *TxOut) error {
-	err := binarySerializer.PutUint64(w, littleEndian, uint64(to.Value))
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := WriteTxOutBuf(w, pver, version, to, buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+// WriteTxOutBuf encodes to into the bitcoin protocol encoding for a transaction
+// output (TxOut) to w. If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for
+// serializing small values. Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the
+// binarySerializer's pool and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: This function is exported in order to allow txscript to compute the
+// new sighashes for witness transactions (BIP0143).
+func WriteTxOutBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, to *TxOut,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	littleEndian.PutUint64(buf, uint64(to.Value))
+	_, err := w.Write(buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return WriteVarBytes(w, pver, to.PkScript)
+	return WriteVarBytesBuf(w, pver, to.PkScript, buf)
 }
 
-// writeTxWitness encodes the bitcoin protocol encoding for a transaction
-// input's witness into to w.
-func writeTxWitness(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, wit [][]byte) error {
-	err := WriteVarInt(w, pver, uint64(len(wit)))
+// writeTxWitnessBuf encodes the bitcoin protocol encoding for a transaction
+// input's witness into to w. If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used
+// for serializing small values. Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the
+// binarySerializer's pool and return when the method finishes.
+func writeTxWitnessBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, version int32, wit [][]byte,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	err := WriteVarIntBuf(w, pver, uint64(len(wit)), buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, item := range wit {
-		err = WriteVarBytes(w, pver, item)
+		err = WriteVarBytesBuf(w, pver, item, buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/wire/netaddress.go b/wire/netaddress.go
index 5a2610bccc..e5c8eeea17 100644
--- a/wire/netaddress.go
+++ b/wire/netaddress.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 package wire
 
 import (
-	"encoding/binary"
 	"io"
 	"net"
 	"time"
@@ -89,31 +88,60 @@ func NewNetAddress(addr *net.TCPAddr, services ServiceFlag) *NetAddress {
 // version and whether or not the timestamp is included per ts.  Some messages
 // like version do not include the timestamp.
 func readNetAddress(r io.Reader, pver uint32, na *NetAddress, ts bool) error {
-	var ip [16]byte
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+
+	err := readNetAddressBuf(r, pver, na, ts, buf)
+	return err
+}
+
+// readNetAddressBuf reads an encoded NetAddress from r depending on the
+// protocol version and whether or not the timestamp is included per ts.  Some
+// messages like version do not include the timestamp.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func readNetAddressBuf(r io.Reader, pver uint32, na *NetAddress, ts bool,
+	buf []byte) error {
+
+	var (
+		timestamp time.Time
+		services  ServiceFlag
+		ip        [16]byte
+		port      uint16
+	)
 
 	// NOTE: The bitcoin protocol uses a uint32 for the timestamp so it will
 	// stop working somewhere around 2106.  Also timestamp wasn't added until
 	// protocol version >= NetAddressTimeVersion
 	if ts && pver >= NetAddressTimeVersion {
-		err := readElement(r, (*uint32Time)(&na.Timestamp))
-		if err != nil {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:4]); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		timestamp = time.Unix(int64(littleEndian.Uint32(buf[:4])), 0)
 	}
 
-	err := readElements(r, &na.Services, &ip)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	services = ServiceFlag(littleEndian.Uint64(buf))
+
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, ip[:]); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Sigh.  Bitcoin protocol mixes little and big endian.
-	port, err := binarySerializer.Uint16(r, bigEndian)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf[:2]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	port = bigEndian.Uint16(buf[:2])
 
 	*na = NetAddress{
-		Timestamp: na.Timestamp,
-		Services:  na.Services,
+		Timestamp: timestamp,
+		Services:  services,
 		IP:        net.IP(ip[:]),
 		Port:      port,
 	}
@@ -124,26 +152,50 @@ func readNetAddress(r io.Reader, pver uint32, na *NetAddress, ts bool) error {
 // version and whether or not the timestamp is included per ts.  Some messages
 // like version do not include the timestamp.
 func writeNetAddress(w io.Writer, pver uint32, na *NetAddress, ts bool) error {
+	buf := binarySerializer.Borrow()
+	defer binarySerializer.Return(buf)
+	err := writeNetAddressBuf(w, pver, na, ts, buf)
+
+	return err
+}
+
+// writeNetAddressBuf serializes a NetAddress to w depending on the protocol
+// version and whether or not the timestamp is included per ts.  Some messages
+// like version do not include the timestamp.
+//
+// If b is non-nil, the provided buffer will be used for serializing small
+// values.  Otherwise a buffer will be drawn from the binarySerializer's pool
+// and return when the method finishes.
+//
+// NOTE: b MUST either be nil or at least an 8-byte slice.
+func writeNetAddressBuf(w io.Writer, pver uint32, na *NetAddress, ts bool, buf []byte) error {
 	// NOTE: The bitcoin protocol uses a uint32 for the timestamp so it will
 	// stop working somewhere around 2106.  Also timestamp wasn't added until
 	// until protocol version >= NetAddressTimeVersion.
 	if ts && pver >= NetAddressTimeVersion {
-		err := writeElement(w, uint32(na.Timestamp.Unix()))
-		if err != nil {
+		littleEndian.PutUint32(buf[:4], uint32(na.Timestamp.Unix()))
+		if _, err := w.Write(buf[:4]); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
+	littleEndian.PutUint64(buf, uint64(na.Services))
+	if _, err := w.Write(buf); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Ensure to always write 16 bytes even if the ip is nil.
 	var ip [16]byte
 	if na.IP != nil {
 		copy(ip[:], na.IP.To16())
 	}
-	err := writeElements(w, na.Services, ip)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := w.Write(ip[:]); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// Sigh.  Bitcoin protocol mixes little and big endian.
-	return binary.Write(w, bigEndian, na.Port)
+	bigEndian.PutUint16(buf[:2], na.Port)
+	_, err := w.Write(buf[:2])
+
+	return err
 }
diff --git a/wire/testdata/block-0000000000000000001602407ac49862a7bca9d00f7f402db20b7be2f5de59d2.blk b/wire/testdata/block-0000000000000000001602407ac49862a7bca9d00f7f402db20b7be2f5de59d2.blk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..aacdb7aa99
Binary files /dev/null and b/wire/testdata/block-0000000000000000001602407ac49862a7bca9d00f7f402db20b7be2f5de59d2.blk differ
diff --git a/wire/testdata/block-00000000000000000021868c2cefc52a480d173c849412fe81c4e5ab806f94ab.blk b/wire/testdata/block-00000000000000000021868c2cefc52a480d173c849412fe81c4e5ab806f94ab.blk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cff5e0f35f
Binary files /dev/null and b/wire/testdata/block-00000000000000000021868c2cefc52a480d173c849412fe81c4e5ab806f94ab.blk differ