diff --git a/swarm/src/connection.rs b/swarm/src/connection.rs
index 0f78a21a..dc567c8c 100644
--- a/swarm/src/connection.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/connection.rs
@@ -19,15 +19,12 @@
 // DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 
 mod error;
+mod handler_wrapper;
 mod listeners;
 mod substream;
 
 pub(crate) mod pool;
 
-use crate::protocols_handler::{
-    NodeHandlerWrapper, NodeHandlerWrapperError, NodeHandlerWrapperEvent,
-    NodeHandlerWrapperOutboundOpenInfo, ProtocolsHandler,
-};
 pub use error::{
     ConnectionError, PendingConnectionError, PendingInboundConnectionError,
     PendingOutboundConnectionError,
@@ -37,9 +34,12 @@ pub use pool::{ConnectionCounters, ConnectionLimits};
 pub use pool::{EstablishedConnection, PendingConnection};
 pub use substream::{Close, Substream, SubstreamEndpoint};
 
+use crate::protocols_handler::ProtocolsHandler;
+use handler_wrapper::HandlerWrapper;
 use libp2p_core::connection::ConnectedPoint;
 use libp2p_core::multiaddr::Multiaddr;
 use libp2p_core::muxing::StreamMuxerBox;
+use libp2p_core::upgrade;
 use libp2p_core::PeerId;
 use std::{error::Error, fmt, pin::Pin, task::Context, task::Poll};
 use substream::{Muxing, SubstreamEvent};
@@ -56,21 +56,21 @@ pub struct Connected {
 /// Event generated by a [`Connection`].
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub enum Event<T> {
-    /// Event generated by the [`NodeHandlerWrapper`].
+    /// Event generated by the [`ProtocolsHandler`].
     Handler(T),
     /// Address of the remote has changed.
     AddressChange(Multiaddr),
 }
 
-/// A multiplexed connection to a peer with an associated [`NodeHandlerWrapper`].
+/// A multiplexed connection to a peer with an associated [`ProtocolsHandler`].
 pub struct Connection<THandler>
 where
     THandler: ProtocolsHandler,
 {
     /// Node that handles the muxing.
-    muxing: substream::Muxing<StreamMuxerBox, NodeHandlerWrapperOutboundOpenInfo<THandler>>,
+    muxing: substream::Muxing<StreamMuxerBox, handler_wrapper::OutboundOpenInfo<THandler>>,
     /// Handler that processes substreams.
-    handler: NodeHandlerWrapper<THandler>,
+    handler: HandlerWrapper<THandler>,
 }
 
 impl<THandler> fmt::Debug for Connection<THandler>
@@ -93,10 +93,15 @@ where
 {
     /// Builds a new `Connection` from the given substream multiplexer
     /// and connection handler.
-    pub fn new(muxer: StreamMuxerBox, handler: NodeHandlerWrapper<THandler>) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(
+        muxer: StreamMuxerBox,
+        handler: THandler,
+        substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<upgrade::Version>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        let wrapped_handler = HandlerWrapper::new(handler, substream_upgrade_protocol_override);
         Connection {
             muxing: Muxing::new(muxer),
-            handler,
+            handler: wrapped_handler,
         }
     }
 
@@ -107,8 +112,8 @@ where
 
     /// Begins an orderly shutdown of the connection, returning the connection
     /// handler and a `Future` that resolves when connection shutdown is complete.
-    pub fn close(self) -> (NodeHandlerWrapper<THandler>, Close<StreamMuxerBox>) {
-        (self.handler, self.muxing.close().0)
+    pub fn close(self) -> (THandler, Close<StreamMuxerBox>) {
+        (self.handler.into_protocols_handler(), self.muxing.close().0)
     }
 
     /// Polls the connection for events produced by the associated handler
@@ -116,12 +121,7 @@ where
     pub fn poll(
         mut self: Pin<&mut Self>,
         cx: &mut Context<'_>,
-    ) -> Poll<
-        Result<
-            Event<THandler::OutEvent>,
-            ConnectionError<NodeHandlerWrapperError<THandler::Error>>,
-        >,
-    > {
+    ) -> Poll<Result<Event<THandler::OutEvent>, ConnectionError<THandler::Error>>> {
         loop {
             let mut io_pending = false;
 
@@ -153,13 +153,13 @@ where
                         return Poll::Pending; // Nothing to do
                     }
                 }
-                Poll::Ready(Ok(NodeHandlerWrapperEvent::OutboundSubstreamRequest(user_data))) => {
+                Poll::Ready(Ok(handler_wrapper::Event::OutboundSubstreamRequest(user_data))) => {
                     self.muxing.open_substream(user_data);
                 }
-                Poll::Ready(Ok(NodeHandlerWrapperEvent::Custom(event))) => {
+                Poll::Ready(Ok(handler_wrapper::Event::Custom(event))) => {
                     return Poll::Ready(Ok(Event::Handler(event)));
                 }
-                Poll::Ready(Err(err)) => return Poll::Ready(Err(ConnectionError::Handler(err))),
+                Poll::Ready(Err(err)) => return Poll::Ready(Err(err.into())),
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/swarm/src/connection/error.rs b/swarm/src/connection/error.rs
index 33d97ff9..4e8d85a8 100644
--- a/swarm/src/connection/error.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/connection/error.rs
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 // FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER
 // DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 
+use super::handler_wrapper;
 use crate::transport::TransportError;
 use crate::Multiaddr;
 use crate::{connection::ConnectionLimit, ConnectedPoint, PeerId};
@@ -30,6 +31,9 @@ pub enum ConnectionError<THandlerErr> {
     // TODO: Eventually this should also be a custom error?
     IO(io::Error),
 
+    /// The connection keep-alive timeout expired.
+    KeepAliveTimeout,
+
     /// The connection handler produced an error.
     Handler(THandlerErr),
 }
@@ -41,6 +45,9 @@ where
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
         match self {
             ConnectionError::IO(err) => write!(f, "Connection error: I/O error: {}", err),
+            ConnectionError::KeepAliveTimeout => {
+                write!(f, "Connection closed due to expired keep-alive timeout.")
+            }
             ConnectionError::Handler(err) => write!(f, "Connection error: Handler error: {}", err),
         }
     }
@@ -53,11 +60,21 @@ where
     fn source(&self) -> Option<&(dyn std::error::Error + 'static)> {
         match self {
             ConnectionError::IO(err) => Some(err),
+            ConnectionError::KeepAliveTimeout => None,
             ConnectionError::Handler(err) => Some(err),
         }
     }
 }
 
+impl<THandlerErr> From<handler_wrapper::Error<THandlerErr>> for ConnectionError<THandlerErr> {
+    fn from(error: handler_wrapper::Error<THandlerErr>) -> Self {
+        match error {
+            handler_wrapper::Error::Handler(e) => Self::Handler(e),
+            handler_wrapper::Error::KeepAliveTimeout => Self::KeepAliveTimeout,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Errors that can occur in the context of a pending outgoing `Connection`.
 ///
 /// Note: Addresses for an outbound connection are dialed in parallel. Thus, compared to
diff --git a/swarm/src/protocols_handler/node_handler.rs b/swarm/src/connection/handler_wrapper.rs
similarity index 77%
rename from swarm/src/protocols_handler/node_handler.rs
rename to swarm/src/connection/handler_wrapper.rs
index 22efbff6..672d7b62 100644
--- a/swarm/src/protocols_handler/node_handler.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/connection/handler_wrapper.rs
@@ -18,10 +18,9 @@
 // FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER
 // DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 
-use crate::connection::{Connected, Substream, SubstreamEndpoint};
+use crate::connection::{Substream, SubstreamEndpoint};
 use crate::protocols_handler::{
-    IntoProtocolsHandler, KeepAlive, ProtocolsHandler, ProtocolsHandlerEvent,
-    ProtocolsHandlerUpgrErr,
+    KeepAlive, ProtocolsHandler, ProtocolsHandlerEvent, ProtocolsHandlerUpgrErr,
 };
 use crate::upgrade::SendWrapper;
 
@@ -36,59 +35,6 @@ use libp2p_core::{
 };
 use std::{error, fmt, pin::Pin, task::Context, task::Poll, time::Duration};
 
-/// Prototype for a `NodeHandlerWrapper`.
-pub struct NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<TIntoProtoHandler> {
-    /// The underlying handler.
-    handler: TIntoProtoHandler,
-    /// The substream upgrade protocol override, if any.
-    substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<upgrade::Version>,
-}
-
-impl<TIntoProtoHandler> NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<TIntoProtoHandler>
-where
-    TIntoProtoHandler: IntoProtocolsHandler,
-{
-    /// Builds a `NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder`.
-    pub(crate) fn new(handler: TIntoProtoHandler) -> Self {
-        NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder {
-            handler,
-            substream_upgrade_protocol_override: None,
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub(crate) fn with_substream_upgrade_protocol_override(
-        mut self,
-        version: Option<upgrade::Version>,
-    ) -> Self {
-        self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override = version;
-        self
-    }
-
-    pub(crate) fn into_protocols_handler(self) -> TIntoProtoHandler {
-        self.handler
-    }
-}
-
-impl<TIntoProtoHandler, TProtoHandler> NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<TIntoProtoHandler>
-where
-    TIntoProtoHandler: IntoProtocolsHandler<Handler = TProtoHandler>,
-    TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler,
-{
-    pub fn into_handler(self, connected: &Connected) -> NodeHandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler> {
-        NodeHandlerWrapper {
-            handler: self
-                .handler
-                .into_handler(&connected.peer_id, &connected.endpoint),
-            negotiating_in: Default::default(),
-            negotiating_out: Default::default(),
-            queued_dial_upgrades: Vec::new(),
-            unique_dial_upgrade_id: 0,
-            shutdown: Shutdown::None,
-            substream_upgrade_protocol_override: self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// A wrapper for an underlying [`ProtocolsHandler`].
 ///
 /// It extends [`ProtocolsHandler`] with:
@@ -96,7 +42,7 @@ where
 /// - Driving substream upgrades
 /// - Handling connection timeout
 // TODO: add a caching system for protocols that are supported or not
-pub struct NodeHandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler>
+pub struct HandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler>
 where
     TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler,
 {
@@ -133,9 +79,9 @@ where
     substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<upgrade::Version>,
 }
 
-impl<TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler> std::fmt::Debug for NodeHandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler> {
+impl<TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler> std::fmt::Debug for HandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler> {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
-        f.debug_struct("NodeHandlerWrapper")
+        f.debug_struct("HandlerWrapper")
             .field("negotiating_in", &self.negotiating_in)
             .field("negotiating_out", &self.negotiating_out)
             .field("unique_dial_upgrade_id", &self.unique_dial_upgrade_id)
@@ -148,7 +94,22 @@ impl<TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler> std::fmt::Debug for NodeHandlerWrapper<TPr
     }
 }
 
-impl<TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler> NodeHandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler> {
+impl<TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler> HandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler> {
+    pub(crate) fn new(
+        handler: TProtoHandler,
+        substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<upgrade::Version>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            handler,
+            negotiating_in: Default::default(),
+            negotiating_out: Default::default(),
+            queued_dial_upgrades: Vec::new(),
+            unique_dial_upgrade_id: 0,
+            shutdown: Shutdown::None,
+            substream_upgrade_protocol_override,
+        }
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn into_protocols_handler(self) -> TProtoHandler {
         self.handler
     }
@@ -222,54 +183,54 @@ enum Shutdown {
     Later(Delay, Instant),
 }
 
-/// Error generated by the `NodeHandlerWrapper`.
+/// Error generated by the [`HandlerWrapper`].
 #[derive(Debug)]
-pub enum NodeHandlerWrapperError<TErr> {
+pub enum Error<TErr> {
     /// The connection handler encountered an error.
     Handler(TErr),
     /// The connection keep-alive timeout expired.
     KeepAliveTimeout,
 }
 
-impl<TErr> From<TErr> for NodeHandlerWrapperError<TErr> {
-    fn from(err: TErr) -> NodeHandlerWrapperError<TErr> {
-        NodeHandlerWrapperError::Handler(err)
+impl<TErr> From<TErr> for Error<TErr> {
+    fn from(err: TErr) -> Error<TErr> {
+        Error::Handler(err)
     }
 }
 
-impl<TErr> fmt::Display for NodeHandlerWrapperError<TErr>
+impl<TErr> fmt::Display for Error<TErr>
 where
     TErr: fmt::Display,
 {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
         match self {
-            NodeHandlerWrapperError::Handler(err) => write!(f, "{}", err),
-            NodeHandlerWrapperError::KeepAliveTimeout => {
+            Error::Handler(err) => write!(f, "{}", err),
+            Error::KeepAliveTimeout => {
                 write!(f, "Connection closed due to expired keep-alive timeout.")
             }
         }
     }
 }
 
-impl<TErr> error::Error for NodeHandlerWrapperError<TErr>
+impl<TErr> error::Error for Error<TErr>
 where
     TErr: error::Error + 'static,
 {
     fn source(&self) -> Option<&(dyn error::Error + 'static)> {
         match self {
-            NodeHandlerWrapperError::Handler(err) => Some(err),
-            NodeHandlerWrapperError::KeepAliveTimeout => None,
+            Error::Handler(err) => Some(err),
+            Error::KeepAliveTimeout => None,
         }
     }
 }
 
-pub type NodeHandlerWrapperOutboundOpenInfo<TProtoHandler> = (
+pub type OutboundOpenInfo<TProtoHandler> = (
     u64,
     <TProtoHandler as ProtocolsHandler>::OutboundOpenInfo,
     Duration,
 );
 
-impl<TProtoHandler> NodeHandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler>
+impl<TProtoHandler> HandlerWrapper<TProtoHandler>
 where
     TProtoHandler: ProtocolsHandler,
 {
@@ -278,7 +239,7 @@ where
         substream: Substream<StreamMuxerBox>,
         // The first element of the tuple is the unique upgrade identifier
         // (see `unique_dial_upgrade_id`).
-        endpoint: SubstreamEndpoint<NodeHandlerWrapperOutboundOpenInfo<TProtoHandler>>,
+        endpoint: SubstreamEndpoint<OutboundOpenInfo<TProtoHandler>>,
     ) {
         match endpoint {
             SubstreamEndpoint::Listener => {
@@ -342,11 +303,8 @@ where
         cx: &mut Context<'_>,
     ) -> Poll<
         Result<
-            NodeHandlerWrapperEvent<
-                NodeHandlerWrapperOutboundOpenInfo<TProtoHandler>,
-                TProtoHandler::OutEvent,
-            >,
-            NodeHandlerWrapperError<TProtoHandler::Error>,
+            Event<OutboundOpenInfo<TProtoHandler>, TProtoHandler::OutEvent>,
+            Error<TProtoHandler::Error>,
         >,
     > {
         while let Poll::Ready(Some((user_data, res))) = self.negotiating_in.poll_next_unpin(cx) {
@@ -393,7 +351,7 @@ where
 
         match poll_result {
             Poll::Ready(ProtocolsHandlerEvent::Custom(event)) => {
-                return Poll::Ready(Ok(NodeHandlerWrapperEvent::Custom(event)));
+                return Poll::Ready(Ok(Event::Custom(event)));
             }
             Poll::Ready(ProtocolsHandlerEvent::OutboundSubstreamRequest { protocol }) => {
                 let id = self.unique_dial_upgrade_id;
@@ -401,9 +359,7 @@ where
                 self.unique_dial_upgrade_id += 1;
                 let (upgrade, info) = protocol.into_upgrade();
                 self.queued_dial_upgrades.push((id, SendWrapper(upgrade)));
-                return Poll::Ready(Ok(NodeHandlerWrapperEvent::OutboundSubstreamRequest((
-                    id, info, timeout,
-                ))));
+                return Poll::Ready(Ok(Event::OutboundSubstreamRequest((id, info, timeout))));
             }
             Poll::Ready(ProtocolsHandlerEvent::Close(err)) => return Poll::Ready(Err(err.into())),
             Poll::Pending => (),
@@ -414,13 +370,9 @@ where
         if self.negotiating_in.is_empty() && self.negotiating_out.is_empty() {
             match self.shutdown {
                 Shutdown::None => {}
-                Shutdown::Asap => {
-                    return Poll::Ready(Err(NodeHandlerWrapperError::KeepAliveTimeout))
-                }
+                Shutdown::Asap => return Poll::Ready(Err(Error::KeepAliveTimeout)),
                 Shutdown::Later(ref mut delay, _) => match Future::poll(Pin::new(delay), cx) {
-                    Poll::Ready(_) => {
-                        return Poll::Ready(Err(NodeHandlerWrapperError::KeepAliveTimeout))
-                    }
+                    Poll::Ready(_) => return Poll::Ready(Err(Error::KeepAliveTimeout)),
                     Poll::Pending => {}
                 },
             }
@@ -430,9 +382,9 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-/// Event produced by a [`NodeHandlerWrapper`].
+/// Event produced by a [`HandlerWrapper`].
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
-pub enum NodeHandlerWrapperEvent<TOutboundOpenInfo, TCustom> {
+pub enum Event<TOutboundOpenInfo, TCustom> {
     /// Require a new outbound substream to be opened with the remote.
     OutboundSubstreamRequest(TOutboundOpenInfo),
 
diff --git a/swarm/src/connection/pool.rs b/swarm/src/connection/pool.rs
index d9903f61..bb8e4760 100644
--- a/swarm/src/connection/pool.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/connection/pool.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ use crate::{
         Connected, ConnectionError, ConnectionLimit, IncomingInfo, PendingConnectionError,
         PendingInboundConnectionError, PendingOutboundConnectionError,
     },
-    protocols_handler::{NodeHandlerWrapper, NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder, NodeHandlerWrapperError},
     transport::{Transport, TransportError},
     ConnectedPoint, Executor, IntoProtocolsHandler, Multiaddr, PeerId, ProtocolsHandler,
 };
@@ -85,6 +84,9 @@ where
     /// Number of addresses concurrently dialed for a single outbound connection attempt.
     dial_concurrency_factor: NonZeroU8,
 
+    /// The configured override for substream protocol upgrades, if any.
+    substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<libp2p_core::upgrade::Version>,
+
     /// The executor to use for running the background tasks. If `None`,
     /// the tasks are kept in `local_spawns` instead and polled on the
     /// current thread when the [`Pool`] is polled for new events.
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@ struct PendingConnectionInfo<THandler> {
     /// [`PeerId`] of the remote peer.
     peer_id: Option<PeerId>,
     /// Handler to handle connection once no longer pending but established.
-    handler: NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>,
+    handler: THandler,
     endpoint: PendingPoint,
     /// When dropped, notifies the task which then knows to terminate.
     abort_notifier: Option<oneshot::Sender<Void>>,
@@ -187,16 +189,12 @@ where
         connected: Connected,
         /// The error that occurred, if any. If `None`, the connection
         /// was closed by the local peer.
-        error: Option<
-            ConnectionError<
-                NodeHandlerWrapperError<<THandler::Handler as ProtocolsHandler>::Error>,
-            >,
-        >,
+        error: Option<ConnectionError<<THandler::Handler as ProtocolsHandler>::Error>>,
         /// A reference to the pool that used to manage the connection.
         pool: &'a mut Pool<THandler, TTrans>,
         /// The remaining established connections to the same peer.
         remaining_established_connection_ids: Vec<ConnectionId>,
-        handler: NodeHandlerWrapper<THandler::Handler>,
+        handler: THandler::Handler,
     },
 
     /// An outbound connection attempt failed.
@@ -206,7 +204,7 @@ where
         /// The error that occurred.
         error: PendingOutboundConnectionError<TTrans::Error>,
         /// The handler that was supposed to handle the connection.
-        handler: NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>,
+        handler: THandler,
         /// The (expected) peer of the failed connection.
         peer: Option<PeerId>,
     },
@@ -222,7 +220,7 @@ where
         /// The error that occurred.
         error: PendingInboundConnectionError<TTrans::Error>,
         /// The handler that was supposed to handle the connection.
-        handler: NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>,
+        handler: THandler,
     },
 
     /// A node has produced an event.
@@ -330,6 +328,7 @@ where
             next_connection_id: ConnectionId::new(0),
             task_command_buffer_size: config.task_command_buffer_size,
             dial_concurrency_factor: config.dial_concurrency_factor,
+            substream_upgrade_protocol_override: config.substream_upgrade_protocol_override,
             executor: config.executor,
             local_spawns: FuturesUnordered::new(),
             pending_connection_events_tx,
@@ -481,10 +480,10 @@ where
         transport: TTrans,
         addresses: impl Iterator<Item = Multiaddr> + Send + 'static,
         peer: Option<PeerId>,
-        handler: NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>,
+        handler: THandler,
         role_override: Endpoint,
         dial_concurrency_factor_override: Option<NonZeroU8>,
-    ) -> Result<ConnectionId, (ConnectionLimit, NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>)>
+    ) -> Result<ConnectionId, (ConnectionLimit, THandler)>
     where
         TTrans: Clone + Send,
         TTrans::Dial: Send + 'static,
@@ -538,9 +537,9 @@ where
     pub fn add_incoming<TFut>(
         &mut self,
         future: TFut,
-        handler: NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>,
+        handler: THandler,
         info: IncomingInfo<'_>,
-    ) -> Result<ConnectionId, (ConnectionLimit, NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<THandler>)>
+    ) -> Result<ConnectionId, (ConnectionLimit, THandler)>
     where
         TFut: Future<Output = Result<TTrans::Output, TTrans::Error>> + Send + 'static,
     {
@@ -816,13 +815,11 @@ where
                         },
                     );
 
-                    let connected = Connected {
-                        peer_id: obtained_peer_id,
-                        endpoint,
-                    };
-
-                    let connection =
-                        super::Connection::new(muxer, handler.into_handler(&connected));
+                    let connection = super::Connection::new(
+                        muxer,
+                        handler.into_handler(&obtained_peer_id, &endpoint),
+                        self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override,
+                    );
                     self.spawn(
                         task::new_for_established_connection(
                             id,
@@ -1226,6 +1223,9 @@ pub struct PoolConfig {
 
     /// Number of addresses concurrently dialed for a single outbound connection attempt.
     pub dial_concurrency_factor: NonZeroU8,
+
+    /// The configured override for substream protocol upgrades, if any.
+    substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<libp2p_core::upgrade::Version>,
 }
 
 impl Default for PoolConfig {
@@ -1236,6 +1236,7 @@ impl Default for PoolConfig {
             task_command_buffer_size: 7,
             // By default, addresses of a single connection attempt are dialed in sequence.
             dial_concurrency_factor: NonZeroU8::new(1).expect("1 > 0"),
+            substream_upgrade_protocol_override: None,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1285,6 +1286,15 @@ impl PoolConfig {
         self.dial_concurrency_factor = factor;
         self
     }
+
+    /// Configures an override for the substream upgrade protocol to use.
+    pub fn with_substream_upgrade_protocol_override(
+        mut self,
+        v: libp2p_core::upgrade::Version,
+    ) -> Self {
+        self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override = Some(v);
+        self
+    }
 }
 
 trait EntryExt<'a, K, V> {
diff --git a/swarm/src/connection/pool/task.rs b/swarm/src/connection/pool/task.rs
index 60bdd87b..7464b7a1 100644
--- a/swarm/src/connection/pool/task.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/connection/pool/task.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ use crate::{
     connection::{
         self, ConnectionError, PendingInboundConnectionError, PendingOutboundConnectionError,
     },
-    protocols_handler::{NodeHandlerWrapper, NodeHandlerWrapperError},
     transport::{Transport, TransportError},
     Multiaddr, PeerId, ProtocolsHandler,
 };
@@ -93,8 +92,8 @@ pub enum EstablishedConnectionEvent<THandler: ProtocolsHandler> {
     Closed {
         id: ConnectionId,
         peer_id: PeerId,
-        error: Option<ConnectionError<NodeHandlerWrapperError<THandler::Error>>>,
-        handler: NodeHandlerWrapper<THandler>,
+        error: Option<ConnectionError<THandler::Error>>,
+        handler: THandler,
     },
 }
 
diff --git a/swarm/src/lib.rs b/swarm/src/lib.rs
index d2e17999..462fabaf 100644
--- a/swarm/src/lib.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/lib.rs
@@ -93,7 +93,6 @@ use libp2p_core::{
     upgrade::ProtocolName,
     Executor, Multiaddr, Negotiated, PeerId, Transport,
 };
-use protocols_handler::NodeHandlerWrapperError;
 use registry::{AddressIntoIter, Addresses};
 use smallvec::SmallVec;
 use std::collections::HashSet;
@@ -163,7 +162,7 @@ pub enum SwarmEvent<TBehaviourOutEvent, THandlerErr> {
         num_established: u32,
         /// Reason for the disconnection, if it was not a successful
         /// active close.
-        cause: Option<ConnectionError<NodeHandlerWrapperError<THandlerErr>>>,
+        cause: Option<ConnectionError<THandlerErr>>,
     },
     /// A new connection arrived on a listener and is in the process of protocol negotiation.
     ///
@@ -294,9 +293,6 @@ where
     /// (or dropped if the peer disconnected) before the `behaviour`
     /// can be polled again.
     pending_event: Option<(PeerId, PendingNotifyHandler, THandlerInEvent<TBehaviour>)>,
-
-    /// The configured override for substream protocol upgrades, if any.
-    substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<libp2p_core::upgrade::Version>,
 }
 
 impl<TBehaviour> Unpin for Swarm<TBehaviour> where TBehaviour: NetworkBehaviour {}
@@ -506,10 +502,6 @@ where
                 }
             };
 
-        let handler = handler
-            .into_node_handler_builder()
-            .with_substream_upgrade_protocol_override(self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override);
-
         match self.pool.add_outgoing(
             self.listeners.transport().clone(),
             addresses,
@@ -521,8 +513,7 @@ where
             Ok(_connection_id) => Ok(()),
             Err((connection_limit, handler)) => {
                 let error = DialError::ConnectionLimit(connection_limit);
-                self.behaviour
-                    .inject_dial_failure(None, handler.into_protocols_handler(), &error);
+                self.behaviour.inject_dial_failure(None, handler, &error);
                 return Err(error);
             }
         }
@@ -675,13 +666,7 @@ where
                     local_addr,
                     send_back_addr,
                 }) => {
-                    let handler = this
-                        .behaviour
-                        .new_handler()
-                        .into_node_handler_builder()
-                        .with_substream_upgrade_protocol_override(
-                            this.substream_upgrade_protocol_override,
-                        );
+                    let handler = this.behaviour.new_handler();
                     match this.pool.add_incoming(
                         upgrade,
                         handler,
@@ -700,7 +685,7 @@ where
                             this.behaviour.inject_listen_failure(
                                 &local_addr,
                                 &send_back_addr,
-                                handler.into_protocols_handler(),
+                                handler,
                             );
                             log::warn!("Incoming connection rejected: {:?}", connection_limit);
                         }
@@ -828,11 +813,7 @@ where
                 }) => {
                     let error = error.into();
 
-                    this.behaviour.inject_dial_failure(
-                        peer,
-                        handler.into_protocols_handler(),
-                        &error,
-                    );
+                    this.behaviour.inject_dial_failure(peer, handler, &error);
 
                     if let Some(peer) = peer {
                         log::debug!("Connection attempt to {:?} failed with {:?}.", peer, error,);
@@ -853,11 +834,8 @@ where
                     handler,
                 }) => {
                     log::debug!("Incoming connection failed: {:?}", error);
-                    this.behaviour.inject_listen_failure(
-                        &local_addr,
-                        &send_back_addr,
-                        handler.into_protocols_handler(),
-                    );
+                    this.behaviour
+                        .inject_listen_failure(&local_addr, &send_back_addr, handler);
                     return Poll::Ready(SwarmEvent::IncomingConnectionError {
                         local_addr,
                         send_back_addr,
@@ -900,7 +878,7 @@ where
                             &peer_id,
                             &id,
                             &endpoint,
-                            handler.into_protocols_handler(),
+                            handler,
                             remaining_non_banned,
                         );
                     }
@@ -1242,7 +1220,6 @@ pub struct SwarmBuilder<TBehaviour> {
     behaviour: TBehaviour,
     pool_config: PoolConfig,
     connection_limits: ConnectionLimits,
-    substream_upgrade_protocol_override: Option<libp2p_core::upgrade::Version>,
 }
 
 impl<TBehaviour> SwarmBuilder<TBehaviour>
@@ -1263,7 +1240,6 @@ where
             behaviour,
             pool_config: Default::default(),
             connection_limits: Default::default(),
-            substream_upgrade_protocol_override: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -1341,7 +1317,7 @@ where
     /// > individual [`SubstreamProtocol`]s emitted by the `NetworkBehaviour`
     /// > are ignored.
     pub fn substream_upgrade_protocol_override(mut self, v: libp2p_core::upgrade::Version) -> Self {
-        self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override = Some(v);
+        self.pool_config = self.pool_config.with_substream_upgrade_protocol_override(v);
         self
     }
 
@@ -1382,7 +1358,6 @@ where
             banned_peers: HashSet::new(),
             banned_peer_connections: HashSet::new(),
             pending_event: None,
-            substream_upgrade_protocol_override: self.substream_upgrade_protocol_override,
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/swarm/src/protocols_handler.rs b/swarm/src/protocols_handler.rs
index d4ebec1d..5a9d71cb 100644
--- a/swarm/src/protocols_handler.rs
+++ b/swarm/src/protocols_handler.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ pub mod either;
 mod map_in;
 mod map_out;
 pub mod multi;
-mod node_handler;
 mod one_shot;
 mod select;
 
@@ -55,10 +54,6 @@ use std::{cmp::Ordering, error, fmt, task::Context, task::Poll, time::Duration};
 pub use dummy::DummyProtocolsHandler;
 pub use map_in::MapInEvent;
 pub use map_out::MapOutEvent;
-pub use node_handler::{
-    NodeHandlerWrapper, NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder, NodeHandlerWrapperError,
-    NodeHandlerWrapperEvent, NodeHandlerWrapperOutboundOpenInfo,
-};
 pub use one_shot::{OneShotHandler, OneShotHandlerConfig};
 pub use select::{IntoProtocolsHandlerSelect, ProtocolsHandlerSelect};
 
@@ -222,17 +217,6 @@ pub trait ProtocolsHandler: Send + 'static {
     {
         ProtocolsHandlerSelect::new(self, other)
     }
-
-    /// Creates a builder that allows creating a `NodeHandler` that handles this protocol
-    /// exclusively.
-    ///
-    /// > **Note**: This method should not be redefined in a custom `ProtocolsHandler`.
-    fn into_node_handler_builder(self) -> NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<Self>
-    where
-        Self: Sized,
-    {
-        IntoProtocolsHandler::into_node_handler_builder(self)
-    }
 }
 
 /// Configuration of inbound or outbound substream protocol(s)
@@ -493,15 +477,6 @@ pub trait IntoProtocolsHandler: Send + 'static {
     {
         IntoProtocolsHandlerSelect::new(self, other)
     }
-
-    /// Creates a builder that will allow creating a `NodeHandler` that handles this protocol
-    /// exclusively.
-    fn into_node_handler_builder(self) -> NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder<Self>
-    where
-        Self: Sized,
-    {
-        NodeHandlerWrapperBuilder::new(self)
-    }
 }
 
 impl<T> IntoProtocolsHandler for T