diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 0b91fb7d..3e92db3d 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ IF (MSGPACK_ENABLE_CXX)
         include/msgpack/adaptor/adaptor_base.hpp
         include/msgpack/adaptor/bool.hpp
         include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/fusion.hpp
+        include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/msgpack_variant.hpp
         include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/optional.hpp
         include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/string_ref.hpp
         include/msgpack/adaptor/char_ptr.hpp
diff --git a/example/CMakeLists.txt b/example/CMakeLists.txt
index 5fa8a3f6..e447d1a2 100644
--- a/example/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/example/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (c)
 ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (cpp03)
 ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (cpp11)
+ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (boost)
diff --git a/example/boost/CMakeLists.txt b/example/boost/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..57a31acc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/boost/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+IF (MSGPACK_BOOST)
+    LIST (APPEND exec_PROGRAMS
+        msgpack_variant_capitalize.cpp
+        msgpack_variant_mapbased.cpp
+    )
+ENDIF ()
+
+FOREACH (source_file ${exec_PROGRAMS})
+    GET_FILENAME_COMPONENT (source_file_we ${source_file} NAME_WE)
+    ADD_EXECUTABLE (
+        ${source_file_we}
+        ${source_file}
+    )
+    IF ("${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID}" STREQUAL "Clang" OR "${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID}" STREQUAL "GNU")
+        SET_PROPERTY (TARGET ${source_file_we} APPEND_STRING PROPERTY COMPILE_FLAGS "-Wall -Wextra -Werror -Wno-mismatched-tags -g -O3")
+    ENDIF ()
+    IF ("${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID}" STREQUAL "MSVC")
+        IF (CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS MATCHES "/W[0-4]")
+            STRING(REGEX REPLACE "/W[0-4]" "/W3 /WX" CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS}")
+        ELSE ()
+            SET(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} /W3 /WX")
+        ENDIF ()
+    ENDIF ()
+ENDFOREACH ()
diff --git a/example/boost/msgpack_variant_capitalize.cpp b/example/boost/msgpack_variant_capitalize.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..317e7ac0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/boost/msgpack_variant_capitalize.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+// MessagePack for C++ example
+//
+// Copyright (C) 2015 KONDO Takatoshi
+//
+//    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+//    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+//    You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//        http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+//    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+//    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+//    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+//    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+//    limitations under the License.
+//
+
+#include <string>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cctype>
+
+#include <msgpack.hpp>
+
+struct user {
+    std::string name;
+    int age;
+    std::string address;
+    MSGPACK_DEFINE(name, age, address);
+};
+
+struct proc:boost::static_visitor<void> {
+    void operator()(std::string& v) const {
+        std::cout << "  match std::string& v" << std::endl;
+        std::cout << "    v: " << v << std::endl;
+        std::cout << "    capitalize" << std::endl;
+        for (std::string::iterator it = v.begin(), end = v.end();
+             it != end;
+             ++it) {
+            *it = std::toupper(*it);
+        }
+    }
+    void operator()(std::vector<msgpack::type::variant>& v) const {
+        std::cout << "match vector (msgpack::type::ARRAY)" << std::endl;
+        std::vector<msgpack::type::variant>::iterator it = v.begin();
+        std::vector<msgpack::type::variant>::const_iterator end = v.end();
+        for (; it != end; ++it) {
+            boost::apply_visitor(*this, *it);
+        }
+    }
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {
+        std::cout << "  match others" << std::endl;
+    }
+};
+
+void print(std::string const& buf) {
+    for (std::string::const_iterator it = buf.begin(), end = buf.end();
+         it != end;
+         ++it) {
+        std::cout
+            << std::setw(2)
+            << std::hex
+            << std::setfill('0')
+            << (static_cast<int>(*it) & 0xff)
+            << ' ';
+    }
+    std::cout << std::dec << std::endl;
+}
+
+
+int main() {
+    std::stringstream ss1;
+    user u;
+    u.name = "Takatoshi Kondo";
+    u.age = 42;
+    u.address = "Tokyo, JAPAN";
+
+    std::cout << "Packing object." << std::endl;
+    msgpack::pack(ss1, u);
+    print(ss1.str());
+
+    msgpack::unpacked unp1 = msgpack::unpack(ss1.str().data(), ss1.str().size());
+    msgpack::object const& obj1 = unp1.get();
+    std::cout << "Unpacked msgpack object." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << obj1 << std::endl;
+
+    msgpack::type::variant v = obj1.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    std::cout << "Applying proc..." << std::endl;
+    boost::apply_visitor(proc(), v);
+
+    std::stringstream ss2;
+    std::cout << "Packing modified object." << std::endl;
+    msgpack::pack(ss2, v);
+    print(ss2.str());
+
+    msgpack::unpacked unp2 = msgpack::unpack(ss2.str().data(), ss2.str().size());
+    msgpack::object const& obj2 = unp2.get();
+    std::cout << "Modified msgpack object." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << obj2 << std::endl;
+}
diff --git a/example/boost/msgpack_variant_mapbased.cpp b/example/boost/msgpack_variant_mapbased.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c4150b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/boost/msgpack_variant_mapbased.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+// MessagePack for C++ example
+//
+// Copyright (C) 2015 KONDO Takatoshi
+//
+//    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+//    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+//    You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//        http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+//    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+//    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+//    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+//    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+//    limitations under the License.
+//
+
+#include <string>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iostream>
+
+#include <msgpack.hpp>
+
+struct user {
+    std::string name;
+    int age;
+    std::string address;
+    MSGPACK_DEFINE_MAP(name, age, address);
+};
+
+struct proc:boost::static_visitor<void> {
+    // msgpack::type::MAP is converted to std::multimap, not std::map.
+    void operator()(std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref>& v) const {
+        std::cout << "match map" << std::endl;
+        std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref>::iterator it = v.begin();
+        std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref>::iterator end = v.end();
+        while(it != end) {
+            boost::string_ref const& key = boost::get<boost::string_ref>(it->first);
+            if (key == "name") {
+                boost::string_ref const& value = boost::get<boost::string_ref>(it->second);
+                if (value == "Takatoshi Kondo") {
+                    // You can add values to msgpack::type::variant_ref.
+                    v.insert(
+                        std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref>::value_type(
+                            std::string("role"),
+                            std::string("msgpack-c committer")
+                        )
+                    );
+                }
+                ++it;
+            }
+            else if (key == "age") {
+                // You can remove key-value pair from msgpack::type::variant_ref
+#if defined(MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+                v.erase(it++);
+#else
+                it = v.erase(it);
+#endif
+            }
+            else if (key == "address") {
+                // When you want to append string
+                // "Tokyo" -> "Tokyo, JAPAN"
+                // Use msgpack::type::variant instead of msgpack::type::varinat_ref
+                // or do as follows:
+                boost::string_ref const& value = boost::get<boost::string_ref>(it->second);
+                it->second = std::string(&value.front(), value.size()) + ", JAPAN";
+                ++it;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {
+        std::cout << "  match others" << std::endl;
+    }
+};
+
+int main() {
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    user u;
+    u.name = "Takatoshi Kondo";
+    u.age = 42;
+    u.address = "Tokyo";
+    msgpack::pack(ss, u);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked unp = msgpack::unpack(ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::object const& obj = unp.get();
+    std::cout << "Unpacked msgpack object." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << obj << std::endl;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref v = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    std::cout << "Applying proc..." << std::endl;
+    boost::apply_visitor(proc(), v);
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::cout << "Applied msgpack object." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << msgpack::object(v, z) << std::endl;
+}
diff --git a/include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/msgpack_variant.hpp b/include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/msgpack_variant.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..07a75392
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/msgpack_variant.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,391 @@
+//
+// MessagePack for C++ static resolution routine
+//
+// Copyright (C) 2015 KONDO Takatoshi
+//
+//    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+//    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+//    You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//        http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+//    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+//    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+//    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+//    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+//    limitations under the License.
+//
+#ifndef MSGPACK_TYPE_BOOST_MSGPACK_VARIANT_HPP
+#define MSGPACK_TYPE_BOOST_MSGPACK_VARIANT_HPP
+
+#if defined(MSGPACK_USE_BOOST)
+
+#include "msgpack/versioning.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/adaptor_base.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/check_container_size.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/boost/string_ref.hpp"
+
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/nil.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/bool.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/int.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/float.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/string.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/vector_char.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/raw.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/ext.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/vector.hpp"
+#include "msgpack/adaptor/map.hpp"
+
+#include <boost/variant.hpp>
+
+namespace msgpack {
+
+/// @cond
+MSGPACK_API_VERSION_NAMESPACE(v1) {
+/// @endcond
+
+namespace type {
+
+typedef boost::make_recursive_variant<
+    nil,               // NIL
+    bool,              // BOOL
+    int64_t,           // NEGATIVE_INTEGER
+    uint64_t,          // POSITIVE_INTEGER
+    double,            // FLOAT
+    std::string,       // STR
+#if (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+    boost::string_ref, // STR
+#endif // (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+    std::vector<char>, // BIN
+    msgpack::type::raw_ref, // BIN
+    ext,               // EXT
+    ext_ref,           // EXT
+    std::vector<boost::recursive_variant_>, // ARRAY
+    std::map<boost::recursive_variant_, boost::recursive_variant_>, // MAP
+    std::multimap<boost::recursive_variant_, boost::recursive_variant_> // MAP
+>::type variant;
+
+namespace detail {
+struct ref_tag {
+#if defined(MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+private:
+    ref_tag();
+#else  // defined(MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+    ref_tag() = delete;
+#endif // defined(MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+public:
+    MSGPACK_DEFINE();
+};
+
+inline bool operator<(ref_tag const& lhs, ref_tag const& rhs) {
+    return &lhs < &rhs;
+}
+inline bool operator==(ref_tag const& lhs, ref_tag const& rhs) {
+    return &lhs == &rhs;
+}
+} // namespace detail
+
+typedef boost::make_recursive_variant<
+    nil,               // NIL
+    bool,              // BOOL
+    int64_t,           // NEGATIVE_INTEGER
+    uint64_t,          // POSITIVE_INTEGER
+    double,            // FLOAT
+    std::string,       // STR
+#if (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+    boost::string_ref, // STR
+#endif // (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+    std::vector<char>, // BIN
+    msgpack::type::raw_ref, // BIN
+    ext,               // EXT
+    ext_ref,           // EXT
+    std::vector<boost::recursive_variant_>, // ARRAY
+    std::map<boost::recursive_variant_, boost::recursive_variant_>, // MAP
+    std::multimap<boost::recursive_variant_, boost::recursive_variant_>, // MAP
+    detail::ref_tag
+>::type variant_ref;
+
+} // namespace type
+
+
+
+
+namespace adaptor {
+
+#if !defined (MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+
+template <>
+struct as<msgpack::type::variant> {
+    msgpack::type::variant operator()(msgpack::object const& o) const {
+        switch(o.type) {
+        case type::NIL:
+            return o.as<msgpack::type::nil>();
+        case type::BOOLEAN:
+            return o.as<bool>();
+        case type::POSITIVE_INTEGER:
+            return o.as<uint64_t>();
+        case type::NEGATIVE_INTEGER:
+            return o.as<int64_t>();
+        case type::FLOAT:
+            return o.as<double>();
+        case type::STR:
+            return o.as<std::string>();
+        case type::BIN:
+            return o.as<std::vector<char> >();
+        case type::EXT:
+            return o.as<msgpack::type::ext>();
+        case type::ARRAY:
+            return o.as<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant> >();
+        case type::MAP:
+            return o.as<std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant, msgpack::type::variant> >();
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+        return msgpack::type::variant();
+    }
+};
+
+#endif // !defined (MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+
+
+template <>
+struct convert<msgpack::type::variant> {
+    msgpack::object const& operator()(
+        msgpack::object const& o,
+        msgpack::type::variant& v) const {
+        switch(o.type) {
+        case type::NIL:
+            v = o.as<msgpack::type::nil>();
+            break;
+        case type::BOOLEAN:
+            v = o.as<bool>();
+            break;
+        case type::POSITIVE_INTEGER:
+            v = o.as<uint64_t>();
+            break;
+        case type::NEGATIVE_INTEGER:
+            v = o.as<int64_t>();
+            break;
+        case type::FLOAT:
+            v = o.as<double>();
+            break;
+        case type::STR:
+            v = o.as<std::string>();
+            break;
+        case type::BIN:
+            v = o.as<std::vector<char> >();
+            break;
+        case type::EXT:
+            v = o.as<msgpack::type::ext>();
+            break;
+        case type::ARRAY:
+            v = o.as<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant> >();
+            break;
+        case type::MAP:
+            v = o.as<std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant, msgpack::type::variant> >();
+            break;
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+        return o;
+    }
+};
+
+namespace detail {
+
+template <typename Stream>
+struct pack_imp:boost::static_visitor<void> {
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const& value) const {
+        pack<T>()(o_, value);
+    }
+    pack_imp(packer<Stream>& o):o_(o) {}
+    packer<Stream>& o_;
+};
+
+} // namespace detail
+
+template <>
+struct pack<msgpack::type::variant> {
+    template <typename Stream>
+    msgpack::packer<Stream>& operator()(msgpack::packer<Stream>& o, const msgpack::type::variant& v) const {
+        boost::apply_visitor(detail::pack_imp<Stream>(o), v);
+        return o;
+    }
+};
+
+namespace detail {
+
+struct object_imp:boost::static_visitor<void> {
+    void operator()(msgpack::type::nil const& v) const {
+        object<msgpack::type::nil>()(o_, v);
+    }
+    void operator()(bool const& v) const {
+        object<bool>()(o_, v);
+    }
+    void operator()(uint64_t const& v) const {
+        object<uint64_t>()(o_, v);
+    }
+    void operator()(int64_t const& v) const {
+        object<int64_t>()(o_, v);
+    }
+    void operator()(double const& v) const {
+        object<double>()(o_, v);
+    }
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {
+        throw msgpack::type_error();
+    }
+    object_imp(msgpack::object& o):o_(o) {}
+    msgpack::object& o_;
+};
+
+} // namespace detail
+
+template <>
+struct object<msgpack::type::variant> {
+    void operator()(msgpack::object& o, const msgpack::type::variant& v) const {
+        boost::apply_visitor(detail::object_imp(o), v);
+    }
+};
+
+namespace detail {
+
+struct object_with_zone_imp:boost::static_visitor<void> {
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const& v) const {
+        object_with_zone<T>()(o_, v);
+    }
+    object_with_zone_imp(msgpack::object::with_zone& o):o_(o) {}
+    msgpack::object::with_zone& o_;
+};
+
+} // namespace detail
+
+template <>
+struct object_with_zone<msgpack::type::variant> {
+    void operator()(msgpack::object::with_zone& o, const msgpack::type::variant& v) const {
+        boost::apply_visitor(detail::object_with_zone_imp(o), v);
+    }
+};
+
+#if !defined (MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+
+template <>
+struct as<msgpack::type::variant_ref> {
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref operator()(msgpack::object const& o) const {
+        switch(o.type) {
+        case type::NIL:
+            return o.as<msgpack::type::nil>();
+        case type::BOOLEAN:
+            return o.as<bool>();
+        case type::POSITIVE_INTEGER:
+            return o.as<uint64_t>();
+        case type::NEGATIVE_INTEGER:
+            return o.as<int64_t>();
+        case type::FLOAT:
+            return o.as<double>();
+        case type::STR:
+#if (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+            return o.as<boost::string_ref>();
+#else  // (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+            return o.as<std::string>();
+#endif // (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+        case type::BIN:
+            return o.as<msgpack::type::raw_ref>();
+        case type::EXT:
+            return o.as<msgpack::type::ext_ref>();
+        case type::ARRAY:
+            return o.as<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant_ref> >();
+        case type::MAP:
+            return o.as<std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref> >();
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+        return msgpack::type::variant_ref();
+    }
+};
+
+#endif // !defined (MSGPACK_USE_CPP03)
+
+
+template <>
+struct convert<msgpack::type::variant_ref> {
+    msgpack::object const& operator()(
+        msgpack::object const& o,
+        msgpack::type::variant_ref& v) const {
+        switch(o.type) {
+        case type::NIL:
+            v = o.as<msgpack::type::nil>();
+            break;
+        case type::BOOLEAN:
+            v = o.as<bool>();
+            break;
+        case type::POSITIVE_INTEGER:
+            v = o.as<uint64_t>();
+            break;
+        case type::NEGATIVE_INTEGER:
+            v = o.as<int64_t>();
+            break;
+        case type::FLOAT:
+            v = o.as<double>();
+            break;
+        case type::STR:
+#if (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+            v = o.as<boost::string_ref>();
+#else  // (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+            v = o.as<std::string>();
+#endif // (BOOST_VERSION / 100000) >= 1 && ((BOOST_VERSION / 100) % 1000) >= 53
+            break;
+        case type::BIN:
+            v = o.as<msgpack::type::raw_ref>();
+            break;
+        case type::EXT:
+            v = o.as<msgpack::type::ext_ref>();
+            break;
+        case type::ARRAY:
+            v = o.as<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant_ref> >();
+            break;
+        case type::MAP:
+            v = o.as<std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref> >();
+            break;
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+        return o;
+    }
+};
+
+template <>
+struct pack<msgpack::type::variant_ref> {
+    template <typename Stream>
+    msgpack::packer<Stream>& operator()(msgpack::packer<Stream>& o, const msgpack::type::variant_ref& v) const {
+        boost::apply_visitor(detail::pack_imp<Stream>(o), v);
+        return o;
+    }
+};
+
+template <>
+struct object<msgpack::type::variant_ref> {
+    void operator()(msgpack::object& o, const msgpack::type::variant_ref& v) const {
+        boost::apply_visitor(detail::object_imp(o), v);
+    }
+};
+
+template <>
+struct object_with_zone<msgpack::type::variant_ref> {
+    void operator()(msgpack::object::with_zone& o, const msgpack::type::variant_ref& v) const {
+        boost::apply_visitor(detail::object_with_zone_imp(o), v);
+    }
+};
+
+} // namespace adaptor
+
+/// @cond
+} // MSGPACK_API_VERSION_NAMESPACE(v1)
+/// @endcond
+
+} // namespace msgpack
+
+#endif // MSGPACK_USE_BOOST
+#endif // MSGPACK_TYPE_BOOST_MSGPACK_VARIANT_HPP
diff --git a/include/msgpack/adaptor/nil.hpp b/include/msgpack/adaptor/nil.hpp
index 2f99f1ad..607f767a 100644
--- a/include/msgpack/adaptor/nil.hpp
+++ b/include/msgpack/adaptor/nil.hpp
@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ namespace type {
 
 struct nil { };
 
+inline bool operator<(nil const& lhs, nil const& rhs) {
+    return &lhs < &rhs;
+}
+
+inline bool operator==(nil const& lhs, nil const& rhs) {
+    return &lhs == &rhs;
+}
+
 }  // namespace type
 
 namespace adaptor {
diff --git a/include/msgpack/type.hpp b/include/msgpack/type.hpp
index 4619fe0f..7143741e 100644
--- a/include/msgpack/type.hpp
+++ b/include/msgpack/type.hpp
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 #if defined(MSGPACK_USE_BOOST)
 
 #include "adaptor/boost/fusion.hpp"
+#include "adaptor/boost/msgpack_variant.hpp"
 #include "adaptor/boost/optional.hpp"
 #include "adaptor/boost/string_ref.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index b15c31a0..8eaad74e 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -175,6 +175,7 @@ nobase_include_HEADERS += \
 		../include/msgpack/adaptor/adaptor_base.hpp \
 		../include/msgpack/adaptor/bool.hpp \
 		../include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/fusion.hpp \
+		../include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/msgpack_variant.hpp \
 		../include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/optional.hpp \
 		../include/msgpack/adaptor/boost/string_ref.hpp \
 		../include/msgpack/adaptor/char_ptr.hpp \
diff --git a/test/CMakeLists.txt b/test/CMakeLists.txt
index f0888588..a0b8e28b 100644
--- a/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ LIST (APPEND check_PROGRAMS
 IF (MSGPACK_BOOST)
     LIST (APPEND check_PROGRAMS
         boost_fusion.cpp
+        boost_variant.cpp
         boost_optional.cpp
         boost_string_ref.cpp
     )
diff --git a/test/Makefile.am b/test/Makefile.am
index 165a5e28..37f9de63 100644
--- a/test/Makefile.am
+++ b/test/Makefile.am
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ check_PROGRAMS = \
 
 check_PROGRAMS += \
 		boost_fusion \
+		boost_variant \
 		boost_optional \
 		boost_string_ref
 
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ shared_ptr_cpp11_SOURCES = shared_ptr_cpp11.cpp
 unique_ptr_cpp11_SOURCES = unique_ptr_cpp11.cpp
 
 boost_fusion_SOURCES = boost_fusion.cpp
+boost_variant_SOURCES = boost_variant.cpp
 boost_optional_SOURCES = boost_optional.cpp
 boost_string_ref_SOURCES = boost_string_ref.cpp
 
diff --git a/test/boost_variant.cpp b/test/boost_variant.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..109ae22c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/boost_variant.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,770 @@
+#include <msgpack.hpp>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iterator>
+#include <gtest/gtest.h>
+
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include "config.h"
+#endif
+
+#if defined(MSGPACK_USE_BOOST)
+
+// nil
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_nil)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = msgpack::type::nil();
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_nil)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = msgpack::type::nil();
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_nil)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = msgpack::type::nil();
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+// nil (default constructor)
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_nil_default)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_nil_default)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant val1;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_nil_default)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+// bool
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_bool)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = true;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<bool>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_bool)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = true;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<bool>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_bool)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = true;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<bool>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// positive integer
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_positive_integer)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = uint64_t(123);
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<uint64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_positive_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = uint64_t(123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<uint64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_positive_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = uint64_t(123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<uint64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// negative integer
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_negative_integer)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = int64_t(-123);
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<int64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_negative_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = int64_t(-123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<int64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_negative_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = int64_t(-123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<int64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// float
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_float)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = 12.34;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<double>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_float)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = 12.34;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<double>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_float)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = 12.34;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<double>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// str
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_str)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = std::string("ABC");
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::string>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_str)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = std::string("ABC");
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::string>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// bin
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_bin)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = v;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::vector<char> >(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_bin)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = v;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::vector<char> >(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// ext
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ext)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant val1(msgpack::type::ext(42, v.data(), v.size()));
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::ext>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ext)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant val1(msgpack::type::ext(42, v.data(), v.size()));
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::ext>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// array
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_array)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::vector<msgpack::type::variant> v;
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(uint64_t(1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(int64_t(-1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(23.4));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(std::string("ABC")));
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = v;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant> >(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_array)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::vector<msgpack::type::variant> v;
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(uint64_t(1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(int64_t(-1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(23.4));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant(std::string("ABC")));
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = v;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant> >(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// multimap
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_map)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    typedef std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant, msgpack::type::variant> multimap_t;
+    multimap_t v;
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant(uint64_t(1)), msgpack::type::variant(int64_t(-1))));
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant(23.4), msgpack::type::variant(std::string("ABC"))));
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = v;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<multimap_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_map)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    typedef std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant, msgpack::type::variant> multimap_t;
+    multimap_t v;
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant(uint64_t(1)), msgpack::type::variant(int64_t(-1))));
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant(23.4), msgpack::type::variant(std::string("ABC"))));
+    msgpack::type::variant val1 = v;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<multimap_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// variant_ref
+
+// nil
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_nil)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = msgpack::type::nil();
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_ref_nil)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = msgpack::type::nil();
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_nil)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = msgpack::type::nil();
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+// nil (default constructor)
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_nil_default)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_ref_nil_default)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_nil_default)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::nil>(val2));
+}
+
+// bool
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_bool)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = true;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<bool>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_ref_bool)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = true;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<bool>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_bool)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = true;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<bool>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// positive integer
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_positive_integer)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = uint64_t(123);
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<uint64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_ref_positive_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = uint64_t(123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<uint64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_positive_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = uint64_t(123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<uint64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// negative integer
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_negative_integer)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = int64_t(-123);
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<int64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_ref_negative_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = int64_t(-123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<int64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_negative_integer)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = int64_t(-123);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<int64_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// float
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_float)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = 12.34;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<double>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_variant_ref_float)
+{
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = 12.34;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<double>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_float)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = 12.34;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<double>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// str
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_str)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::string s("ABC");
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = boost::string_ref(s);
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<boost::string_ref>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_str)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::string s("ABC");
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = boost::string_ref(s);
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<boost::string_ref>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// bin
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_bin)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = msgpack::type::raw_ref(v.data(), v.size());
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::raw_ref>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_bin)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = msgpack::type::raw_ref(v.data(), v.size());
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::raw_ref>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// ext
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_ext)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back(static_cast<char>(42));
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1(msgpack::type::ext_ref(v.data(), v.size()));
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::ext_ref>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_ext)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::vector<char> v;
+    v.push_back(static_cast<char>(42));
+    v.push_back('a');
+    v.push_back('b');
+    v.push_back('c');
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1(msgpack::type::ext_ref(v.data(), v.size()));
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<msgpack::type::ext_ref>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// array
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_array)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    std::vector<msgpack::type::variant_ref> v;
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(uint64_t(1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(int64_t(-1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(23.4));
+    std::string s("ABC");
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(boost::string_ref(s)));
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = v;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant_ref> >(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_array)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    std::vector<msgpack::type::variant_ref> v;
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(uint64_t(1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(int64_t(-1)));
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(23.4));
+    std::string s("ABC");
+    v.push_back(msgpack::type::variant_ref(boost::string_ref(s)));
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = v;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<std::vector<msgpack::type::variant_ref> >(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+// multimap
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, pack_convert_variant_ref_map)
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    typedef std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref> multimap_t;
+    multimap_t v;
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant_ref(uint64_t(1)), msgpack::type::variant_ref(int64_t(-1))));
+    std::string s("ABC");
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant_ref(23.4), msgpack::type::variant_ref(boost::string_ref(s))));
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = v;
+
+    msgpack::pack(ss, val1);
+
+    msgpack::unpacked ret;
+    msgpack::unpack(ret, ss.str().data(), ss.str().size());
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = ret.get().as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<multimap_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+TEST(MSGPACK_BOOST, object_with_zone_variant_ref_map)
+{
+    msgpack::zone z;
+    typedef std::multimap<msgpack::type::variant_ref, msgpack::type::variant_ref> multimap_t;
+    multimap_t v;
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant_ref(uint64_t(1)), msgpack::type::variant_ref(int64_t(-1))));
+    std::string s("ABC");
+    v.insert(multimap_t::value_type(msgpack::type::variant_ref(23.4), msgpack::type::variant_ref(boost::string_ref(s))));
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val1 = v;
+    msgpack::object obj(val1, z);
+    msgpack::type::variant_ref val2 = obj.as<msgpack::type::variant_ref>();
+    EXPECT_NO_THROW(boost::get<multimap_t>(val2));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(val1 == val2);
+}
+
+#endif // defined(MSGPACK_USE_BOOST)