diff --git a/actix-files/src/service.rs b/actix-files/src/service.rs
index f6e1c2e11..057dbe5a3 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/service.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/service.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use std::{fmt, io, ops::Deref, path::PathBuf, rc::Rc};
 
-use actix_service::Service;
 use actix_web::{
-    dev::{ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
+    body::BoxBody,
+    dev::{Service, ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
     error::Error,
     guard::Guard,
     http::{header, Method},
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ impl fmt::Debug for FilesService {
 }
 
 impl Service<ServiceRequest> for FilesService {
-    type Response = ServiceResponse;
+    type Response = ServiceResponse<BoxBody>;
     type Error = Error;
     type Future = LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for FilesService {
     fn call(&self, req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let is_method_valid = if let Some(guard) = &self.guards {
             // execute user defined guards
-            (**guard).check(req.head())
+            (**guard).check(&req.guard_ctx())
         } else {
             // default behavior
             matches!(*req.method(), Method::HEAD | Method::GET)
diff --git a/actix-http/src/message.rs b/actix-http/src/message.rs
index 34213f68a..ecd08fbb3 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/message.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/message.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{cell::RefCell, rc::Rc};
+use std::{cell::RefCell, ops, rc::Rc};
 
 use bitflags::bitflags;
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ impl<T: Head> Message<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T: Head> std::ops::Deref for Message<T> {
+impl<T: Head> ops::Deref for Message<T> {
     type Target = T;
 
     fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ impl<T: Head> std::ops::Deref for Message<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T: Head> std::ops::DerefMut for Message<T> {
+impl<T: Head> ops::DerefMut for Message<T> {
     fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
         Rc::get_mut(&mut self.head).expect("Multiple copies exist")
     }
diff --git a/src/app_service.rs b/src/app_service.rs
index e0d424390..56b24f0d8 100644
--- a/src/app_service.rs
+++ b/src/app_service.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 use std::{cell::RefCell, mem, rc::Rc};
 
-use actix_http::{Extensions, Request};
+use actix_http::Request;
 use actix_router::{Path, ResourceDef, Router, Url};
 use actix_service::{boxed, fn_service, Service, ServiceFactory};
 use futures_core::future::LocalBoxFuture;
 use futures_util::future::join_all;
 
 use crate::{
+    body::BoxBody,
     config::{AppConfig, AppService},
     data::FnDataFactory,
+    dev::Extensions,
     guard::Guard,
     request::{HttpRequest, HttpRequestPool},
     rmap::ResourceMap,
@@ -297,7 +299,7 @@ pub struct AppRouting {
 }
 
 impl Service<ServiceRequest> for AppRouting {
-    type Response = ServiceResponse;
+    type Response = ServiceResponse<BoxBody>;
     type Error = Error;
     type Future = LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
 
@@ -306,12 +308,15 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for AppRouting {
     fn call(&self, mut req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let res = self.router.recognize_fn(&mut req, |req, guards| {
             if let Some(ref guards) = guards {
-                for f in guards {
-                    if !f.check(req.head()) {
+                let guard_ctx = req.guard_ctx();
+
+                for guard in guards {
+                    if !guard.check(&guard_ctx) {
                         return false;
                     }
                 }
             }
+
             true
         });
 
diff --git a/src/dev.rs b/src/dev.rs
index 6e1970467..bb1385bde 100644
--- a/src/dev.rs
+++ b/src/dev.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
 //! Most users will not have to interact with the types in this module, but it is useful for those
 //! writing extractors, middleware, libraries, or interacting with the service API directly.
 
+pub use actix_http::{Extensions, Payload, RequestHead, Response, ResponseHead};
+pub use actix_router::{Path, ResourceDef, ResourcePath, Url};
+pub use actix_server::{Server, ServerHandle};
+pub use actix_service::{
+    always_ready, fn_factory, fn_service, forward_ready, Service, ServiceFactory, Transform,
+};
+
+#[cfg(feature = "__compress")]
+pub use actix_http::encoding::Decoder as Decompress;
+
 pub use crate::config::{AppConfig, AppService};
 #[doc(hidden)]
 pub use crate::handler::Handler;
@@ -14,16 +24,6 @@ pub use crate::types::form::UrlEncoded;
 pub use crate::types::json::JsonBody;
 pub use crate::types::readlines::Readlines;
 
-pub use actix_http::{Extensions, Payload, RequestHead, Response, ResponseHead};
-pub use actix_router::{Path, ResourceDef, ResourcePath, Url};
-pub use actix_server::{Server, ServerHandle};
-pub use actix_service::{
-    always_ready, fn_factory, fn_service, forward_ready, Service, ServiceFactory, Transform,
-};
-
-#[cfg(feature = "__compress")]
-pub use actix_http::encoding::Decoder as Decompress;
-
 use crate::http::header::ContentEncoding;
 
 use actix_router::Patterns;
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ pub(crate) fn ensure_leading_slash(mut patterns: Patterns) -> Patterns {
 
     patterns
 }
-struct Enc(ContentEncoding);
 
 /// Helper trait that allows to set specific encoding for response.
 pub trait BodyEncoding {
@@ -70,6 +69,8 @@ impl BodyEncoding for actix_http::ResponseBuilder {
     }
 }
 
+struct Enc(ContentEncoding);
+
 impl<B> BodyEncoding for actix_http::Response<B> {
     fn get_encoding(&self) -> Option<ContentEncoding> {
         self.extensions().get::<Enc>().map(|enc| enc.0)
diff --git a/src/guard.rs b/src/guard.rs
index db7f06987..b541653e7 100644
--- a/src/guard.rs
+++ b/src/guard.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
-//! Route match guards.
+//! Route guards.
 //!
-//! Guards are one of the ways how actix-web router chooses a
-//! handler service. In essence it is just a function that accepts a
-//! reference to a `RequestHead` instance and returns a boolean.
-//! It is possible to add guards to *scopes*, *resources*
-//! and *routes*. Actix provide several guards by default, like various
-//! http methods, header, etc. To become a guard, type must implement `Guard`
-//! trait. Simple functions could be guards as well.
+//! Guards are one of the ways how actix-web router chooses a handler service. In essence it is just
+//! a function that accepts a reference to a `RequestHead` instance and returns a boolean. It is
+//! possible to add guards to *scopes*, *resources* and *routes*. Actix provide several guards by
+//! default, like various HTTP methods, header, etc. To become a guard, type must implement the
+//! `Guard` trait. Simple functions could be guards as well.
 //!
-//! Guards can not modify the request object. But it is possible
-//! to store extra attributes on a request by using the `Extensions` container.
-//! Extensions containers are available via the `RequestHead::extensions()` method.
+//! Guards can not modify the request object. But it is possible to store extra attributes on a
+//! request by using the `Extensions` container. Extensions containers are available via the
+//! `RequestHead::extensions()` method.
 //!
 //! ```
 //! use actix_web::{web, http, dev, guard, App, HttpResponse};
@@ -18,31 +16,56 @@
 //! App::new().service(web::resource("/index.html").route(
 //!     web::route()
 //!          .guard(guard::Post())
-//!          .guard(guard::fn_guard(|head| head.method == http::Method::GET))
+//!          .guard(guard::fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().method == http::Method::GET))
 //!          .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
 //! );
 //! ```
 
-#![allow(non_snake_case)]
+use std::{
+    cell::{Ref, RefMut},
+    convert::TryFrom,
+    rc::Rc,
+};
 
-use std::rc::Rc;
-use std::{convert::TryFrom, ops::Deref};
+use actix_http::{header, uri::Uri, Extensions, Method as HttpMethod, RequestHead};
 
-use actix_http::{header, uri::Uri, Method as HttpMethod, RequestHead};
+use crate::service::ServiceRequest;
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct GuardContext<'a> {
+    pub(crate) req: &'a ServiceRequest,
+}
+
+impl<'a> GuardContext<'a> {
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn head(&self) -> &RequestHead {
+        self.req.head()
+    }
+
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data(&self) -> Ref<'a, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data()
+    }
+
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data_mut(&self) -> RefMut<'a, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data_mut()
+    }
+}
 
 /// Trait defines resource guards. Guards are used for route selection.
 ///
-/// Guards can not modify the request object. But it is possible
-/// to store extra attributes on a request by using the `Extensions` container.
-/// Extensions containers are available via the `RequestHead::extensions()` method.
+/// Guards can not modify the request object. But it is possible to store extra attributes on a
+/// request by using the `Extensions` container. Extensions containers are available via the
+/// `RequestHead::extensions()` method.
 pub trait Guard {
     /// Check if request matches predicate
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool;
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool;
 }
 
 impl Guard for Rc<dyn Guard> {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        self.deref().check(request)
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        (**self).check(ctx)
     }
 }
 
@@ -51,39 +74,40 @@ impl Guard for Rc<dyn Guard> {
 /// ```
 /// use actix_web::{guard, web, App, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// App::new().service(web::resource("/index.html").route(
-///     web::route()
-///         .guard(
-///             guard::fn_guard(
-///                 |req| req.headers()
-///                          .contains_key("content-type")))
-///         .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
-/// );
+/// App::new().service(
+///         web::resource("/index.html").route(
+///             web::route()
+///                 .guard(guard::fn_guard(|ctx| {
+///                     ctx.head().headers().contains_key("content-type")
+///                 }))
+///                 .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()),
+///         ),
+///     );
 /// ```
 pub fn fn_guard<F>(f: F) -> impl Guard
 where
-    F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool,
+    F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool,
 {
     FnGuard(f)
 }
 
-struct FnGuard<F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool>(F);
+struct FnGuard<F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool>(F);
 
 impl<F> Guard for FnGuard<F>
 where
-    F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool,
+    F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool,
 {
-    fn check(&self, head: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        (self.0)(head)
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        (self.0)(ctx)
     }
 }
 
 impl<F> Guard for F
 where
-    F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool,
+    F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool,
 {
-    fn check(&self, head: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        (self)(head)
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        (self)(ctx)
     }
 }
 
@@ -98,28 +122,34 @@ where
 ///          .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
 /// );
 /// ```
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
 pub fn Any<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> AnyGuard {
-    AnyGuard(vec![Box::new(guard)])
+    AnyGuard {
+        guards: vec![Box::new(guard)],
+    }
 }
 
 /// Matches any of supplied guards.
-pub struct AnyGuard(Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>);
+pub struct AnyGuard {
+    guards: Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>,
+}
 
 impl AnyGuard {
     /// Add guard to a list of guards to check
     pub fn or<F: Guard + 'static>(mut self, guard: F) -> Self {
-        self.0.push(Box::new(guard));
+        self.guards.push(Box::new(guard));
         self
     }
 }
 
 impl Guard for AnyGuard {
-    fn check(&self, req: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        for p in &self.0 {
-            if p.check(req) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        for guard in &self.guards {
+            if guard.check(ctx) {
                 return true;
             }
         }
+
         false
     }
 }
@@ -136,25 +166,30 @@ impl Guard for AnyGuard {
 ///         .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
 /// );
 /// ```
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
 pub fn All<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> AllGuard {
-    AllGuard(vec![Box::new(guard)])
+    AllGuard {
+        guards: vec![Box::new(guard)],
+    }
 }
 
 /// Matches if all of supplied guards.
-pub struct AllGuard(Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>);
+pub struct AllGuard {
+    guards: Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>,
+}
 
 impl AllGuard {
     /// Add new guard to the list of guards to check
     pub fn and<F: Guard + 'static>(mut self, guard: F) -> Self {
-        self.0.push(Box::new(guard));
+        self.guards.push(Box::new(guard));
         self
     }
 }
 
 impl Guard for AllGuard {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        for p in &self.0 {
-            if !p.check(request) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        for guard in &self.guards {
+            if !guard.check(ctx) {
                 return false;
             }
         }
@@ -163,82 +198,91 @@ impl Guard for AllGuard {
 }
 
 /// Return guard that matches if supplied guard does not match.
-pub fn Not<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> NotGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Not<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> impl Guard {
     NotGuard(Box::new(guard))
 }
 
-#[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct NotGuard(Box<dyn Guard>);
+struct NotGuard(Box<dyn Guard>);
 
 impl Guard for NotGuard {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        !self.0.check(request)
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        !self.0.check(ctx)
     }
 }
 
 /// HTTP method guard.
-#[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct MethodGuard(HttpMethod);
+struct MethodGuard(HttpMethod);
 
 impl Guard for MethodGuard {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        request.method == self.0
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        ctx.head().method == self.0
     }
 }
 
 /// Guard to match *GET* HTTP method.
-pub fn Get() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Get() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::GET)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *POST* HTTP method.
-pub fn Post() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Post() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::POST)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *PUT* HTTP method.
-pub fn Put() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Put() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::PUT)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *DELETE* HTTP method.
-pub fn Delete() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Delete() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::DELETE)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *HEAD* HTTP method.
-pub fn Head() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Head() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::HEAD)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *OPTIONS* HTTP method.
-pub fn Options() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Options() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::OPTIONS)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *CONNECT* HTTP method.
-pub fn Connect() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Connect() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::CONNECT)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *PATCH* HTTP method.
-pub fn Patch() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Patch() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::PATCH)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match *TRACE* HTTP method.
-pub fn Trace() -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Trace() -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(HttpMethod::TRACE)
 }
 
 /// Predicate to match specified HTTP method.
-pub fn Method(method: HttpMethod) -> MethodGuard {
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Method(method: HttpMethod) -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(method)
 }
 
-/// Return predicate that matches if request contains specified header and
-/// value.
-pub fn Header(name: &'static str, value: &'static str) -> HeaderGuard {
+/// Return predicate that matches if request contains specified header and value.
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Header(name: &'static str, value: &'static str) -> impl Guard {
     HeaderGuard(
         header::HeaderName::try_from(name).unwrap(),
         header::HeaderValue::from_static(value),
@@ -246,13 +290,14 @@ pub fn Header(name: &'static str, value: &'static str) -> HeaderGuard {
 }
 
 #[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct HeaderGuard(header::HeaderName, header::HeaderValue);
+struct HeaderGuard(header::HeaderName, header::HeaderValue);
 
 impl Guard for HeaderGuard {
-    fn check(&self, req: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        if let Some(val) = req.headers.get(&self.0) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        if let Some(val) = ctx.head().headers.get(&self.0) {
             return val == self.1;
         }
+
         false
     }
 }
@@ -268,48 +313,54 @@ impl Guard for HeaderGuard {
 ///         .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed())
 /// );
 /// ```
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
 pub fn Host<H: AsRef<str>>(host: H) -> HostGuard {
-    HostGuard(host.as_ref().to_string(), None)
+    HostGuard {
+        host: host.as_ref().to_string(),
+        scheme: None,
+    }
 }
 
 fn get_host_uri(req: &RequestHead) -> Option<Uri> {
-    use core::str::FromStr;
     req.headers
         .get(header::HOST)
         .and_then(|host_value| host_value.to_str().ok())
         .or_else(|| req.uri.host())
-        .map(|host: &str| Uri::from_str(host).ok())
+        .map(|host| host.parse().ok())
         .and_then(|host_success| host_success)
 }
 
 #[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct HostGuard(String, Option<String>);
+pub struct HostGuard {
+    host: String,
+    scheme: Option<String>,
+}
 
 impl HostGuard {
     /// Set request scheme to match
     pub fn scheme<H: AsRef<str>>(mut self, scheme: H) -> HostGuard {
-        self.1 = Some(scheme.as_ref().to_string());
+        self.scheme = Some(scheme.as_ref().to_string());
         self
     }
 }
 
 impl Guard for HostGuard {
-    fn check(&self, req: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        let req_host_uri = if let Some(uri) = get_host_uri(req) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        let req_host_uri = if let Some(uri) = get_host_uri(ctx.head()) {
             uri
         } else {
             return false;
         };
 
         if let Some(uri_host) = req_host_uri.host() {
-            if self.0 != uri_host {
+            if self.host != uri_host {
                 return false;
             }
         } else {
             return false;
         }
 
-        if let Some(ref scheme) = self.1 {
+        if let Some(ref scheme) = self.scheme {
             if let Some(ref req_host_uri_scheme) = req_host_uri.scheme_str() {
                 return scheme == req_host_uri_scheme;
             }
@@ -330,16 +381,16 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_header() {
         let req = TestRequest::default()
             .insert_header((header::TRANSFER_ENCODING, "chunked"))
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
         let pred = Header("transfer-encoding", "chunked");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Header("transfer-encoding", "other");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Header("content-type", "other");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -349,25 +400,25 @@ mod tests {
                 header::HOST,
                 header::HeaderValue::from_static("www.rust-lang.org"),
             ))
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("crates.io");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("localhost");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -377,121 +428,117 @@ mod tests {
                 header::HOST,
                 header::HeaderValue::from_static("https://www.rust-lang.org"),
             ))
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("http");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("crates.io").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("localhost");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn test_host_without_header() {
         let req = TestRequest::default()
             .uri("www.rust-lang.org")
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("crates.io");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let pred = Host("localhost");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        assert!(!pred.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn test_methods() {
-        let req = TestRequest::default().to_http_request();
-        let req2 = TestRequest::default()
-            .method(Method::POST)
-            .to_http_request();
+        let req = TestRequest::default().to_srv_request();
+        let req2 = TestRequest::default().method(Method::POST).to_srv_request();
 
-        assert!(Get().check(req.head()));
-        assert!(!Get().check(req2.head()));
-        assert!(Post().check(req2.head()));
-        assert!(!Post().check(req.head()));
+        assert!(Get().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Get().check(&req2.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(Post().check(&req2.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Post().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let r = TestRequest::default().method(Method::PUT).to_http_request();
-        assert!(Put().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Put().check(req.head()));
+        let r = TestRequest::default().method(Method::PUT).to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Put().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Put().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::DELETE)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Delete().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Delete().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Delete().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Delete().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
-            .method(Method::HEAD)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Head().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Head().check(req.head()));
+        let r = TestRequest::default().method(Method::HEAD).to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Head().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Head().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::OPTIONS)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Options().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Options().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Options().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Options().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::CONNECT)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Connect().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Connect().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Connect().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Connect().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::PATCH)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Patch().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Patch().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Patch().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Patch().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
         let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::TRACE)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Trace().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Trace().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Trace().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Trace().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn test_preds() {
         let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::TRACE)
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
-        assert!(Not(Get()).check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Not(Trace()).check(r.head()));
+        assert!(Not(Get()).check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Not(Trace()).check(&r.guard_ctx()));
 
-        assert!(All(Trace()).and(Trace()).check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!All(Get()).and(Trace()).check(r.head()));
+        assert!(All(Trace()).and(Trace()).check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!All(Get()).and(Trace()).check(&r.guard_ctx()));
 
-        assert!(Any(Get()).or(Trace()).check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Any(Get()).or(Get()).check(r.head()));
+        assert!(Any(Get()).or(Trace()).check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Any(Get()).or(Get()).check(&r.guard_ctx()));
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/middleware/normalize.rs b/src/middleware/normalize.rs
index 18dcaeefa..3ab908481 100644
--- a/src/middleware/normalize.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/normalize.rs
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/something").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/something").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ mod tests {
         let app = init_service(
             App::new().wrap(NormalizePath(TrailingSlash::Trim)).service(
                 web::resource("/")
-                    .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                    .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                     .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
             ),
         )
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/something/").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something/")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .wrap(NormalizePath(TrailingSlash::Always))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
diff --git a/src/route.rs b/src/route.rs
index 6d6fca4b7..6be1431cf 100644
--- a/src/route.rs
+++ b/src/route.rs
@@ -65,9 +65,12 @@ pub struct RouteService {
 }
 
 impl RouteService {
+    // TODO: does this need to take &mut ?
     pub fn check(&self, req: &mut ServiceRequest) -> bool {
-        for f in self.guards.iter() {
-            if !f.check(req.head()) {
+        for guard in self.guards.iter() {
+            let guard_ctx = req.guard_ctx();
+
+            if !guard.check(&guard_ctx) {
                 return false;
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/scope.rs b/src/scope.rs
index 176e0d5a0..b4618bb6c 100644
--- a/src/scope.rs
+++ b/src/scope.rs
@@ -538,12 +538,15 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for ScopeService {
     fn call(&self, mut req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let res = self.router.recognize_fn(&mut req, |req, guards| {
             if let Some(ref guards) = guards {
-                for f in guards {
-                    if !f.check(req.head()) {
+                let guard_ctx = req.guard_ctx();
+
+                for guard in guards {
+                    if !guard.check(&guard_ctx) {
                         return false;
                     }
                 }
             }
+
             true
         });
 
diff --git a/src/service.rs b/src/service.rs
index d5c381fa4..975556197 100644
--- a/src/service.rs
+++ b/src/service.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ use cookie::{Cookie, ParseError as CookieParseError};
 use crate::{
     config::{AppConfig, AppService},
     dev::ensure_leading_slash,
-    guard::Guard,
+    guard::{Guard, GuardContext},
     info::ConnectionInfo,
     rmap::ResourceMap,
     Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponse,
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         self.head().uri.path()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::query_string`](super::HttpRequest::query_string()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::query_string`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn query_string(&self) -> &str {
         self.req.query_string()
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         self.req.match_info()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_name`](super::HttpRequest::match_name()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_name`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn match_name(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.req.match_name()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_pattern`](super::HttpRequest::match_pattern()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_pattern`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn match_pattern(&self) -> Option<String> {
         self.req.match_pattern()
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         self.req.app_config()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::app_data`](super::HttpRequest::app_data()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::app_data`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn app_data<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
         for container in self.req.inner.app_data.iter().rev() {
@@ -250,19 +250,33 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         None
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::conn_data`](super::HttpRequest::conn_data()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::conn_data`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn conn_data<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
         self.req.conn_data()
     }
 
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::req_data`].
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data(&self) -> Ref<'_, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data()
+    }
+
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::req_data_mut`].
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data_mut(&self) -> RefMut<'_, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data_mut()
+    }
+
     #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+    #[inline]
     pub fn cookies(&self) -> Result<Ref<'_, Vec<Cookie<'static>>>, CookieParseError> {
         self.req.cookies()
     }
 
     /// Return request cookie.
     #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+    #[inline]
     pub fn cookie(&self, name: &str) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
         self.req.cookie(name)
     }
@@ -283,6 +297,14 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
             .app_data
             .push(extensions);
     }
+
+    /// Creates a context object for use with a [guard](crate::guard).
+    ///
+    /// Useful if you are implementing
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn guard_ctx(&self) -> GuardContext<'_> {
+        GuardContext { req: self }
+    }
 }
 
 impl Resource<Url> for ServiceRequest {