diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/directive.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/directive.rs
index 5c6b38eb4b..3745662385 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/directive.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/directive.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use crate::filter::level::{self, LevelFilter};
-use std::{cmp::Ordering, error::Error, fmt, iter::FromIterator, str::FromStr};
-use tracing_core::Metadata;
+use alloc::{string::String, vec::Vec};
+use core::{cmp::Ordering, fmt, iter::FromIterator, slice, str::FromStr};
+use tracing_core::{Level, Metadata};
 /// Indicates that a string could not be parsed as a filtering directive.
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct ParseError {
@@ -35,7 +36,8 @@ pub(in crate::filter) trait Match {
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
 enum ParseErrorKind {
-    Field(Box<dyn Error + Send + Sync>),
+    #[cfg(feature = "std")]
+    Field(Box<dyn std::error::Error + Send + Sync>),
     Level(level::ParseError),
     Other(Option<&'static str>),
 }
@@ -43,11 +45,12 @@ enum ParseErrorKind {
 // === impl DirectiveSet ===
 
 impl<T> DirectiveSet<T> {
+    #[cfg(feature = "std")]
     pub(crate) fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
         self.directives.is_empty()
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn iter(&self) -> std::slice::Iter<'_, T> {
+    pub(crate) fn iter(&self) -> slice::Iter<'_, T> {
         self.directives.iter()
     }
 }
@@ -118,7 +121,7 @@ impl<T> IntoIterator for DirectiveSet<T> {
     #[cfg(feature = "smallvec")]
     type IntoIter = smallvec::IntoIter<[T; 8]>;
     #[cfg(not(feature = "smallvec"))]
-    type IntoIter = std::vec::IntoIter<T>;
+    type IntoIter = alloc::vec::IntoIter<T>;
 
     fn into_iter(self) -> Self::IntoIter {
         self.directives.into_iter()
@@ -135,6 +138,22 @@ impl DirectiveSet<StaticDirective> {
             None => false,
         }
     }
+
+    /// Same as `enabled` above, but skips `Directive`'s with fields.
+    pub(crate) fn target_enabled(&self, target: &str, level: &Level) -> bool {
+        match self.directives_for_target(target).next() {
+            Some(d) => d.level >= *level,
+            None => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn directives_for_target<'a>(
+        &'a self,
+        target: &'a str,
+    ) -> impl Iterator<Item = &'a StaticDirective> + 'a {
+        self.directives()
+            .filter(move |d| d.cares_about_target(target))
+    }
 }
 
 // === impl StaticDirective ===
@@ -151,6 +170,22 @@ impl StaticDirective {
             level,
         }
     }
+
+    pub(in crate::filter) fn cares_about_target(&self, to_check: &str) -> bool {
+        // Does this directive have a target filter, and does it match the
+        // metadata's target?
+        if let Some(ref target) = self.target {
+            if !to_check.starts_with(&target[..]) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if !self.field_names.is_empty() {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        true
+    }
 }
 
 impl Ord for StaticDirective {
@@ -353,6 +388,7 @@ impl FromStr for StaticDirective {
 // === impl ParseError ===
 
 impl ParseError {
+    #[cfg(feature = "std")]
     pub(crate) fn new() -> Self {
         ParseError {
             kind: ParseErrorKind::Other(None),
@@ -372,17 +408,19 @@ impl fmt::Display for ParseError {
             ParseErrorKind::Other(None) => f.pad("invalid filter directive"),
             ParseErrorKind::Other(Some(msg)) => write!(f, "invalid filter directive: {}", msg),
             ParseErrorKind::Level(ref l) => l.fmt(f),
+            #[cfg(feature = "std")]
             ParseErrorKind::Field(ref e) => write!(f, "invalid field filter: {}", e),
         }
     }
 }
 
-impl Error for ParseError {
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
+impl std::error::Error for ParseError {
     fn description(&self) -> &str {
         "invalid filter directive"
     }
 
-    fn source(&self) -> Option<&(dyn Error + 'static)> {
+    fn source(&self) -> Option<&(dyn std::error::Error + 'static)> {
         match self.kind {
             ParseErrorKind::Other(_) => None,
             ParseErrorKind::Level(ref l) => Some(l),
@@ -391,8 +429,9 @@ impl Error for ParseError {
     }
 }
 
-impl From<Box<dyn Error + Send + Sync>> for ParseError {
-    fn from(e: Box<dyn Error + Send + Sync>) -> Self {
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
+impl From<Box<dyn std::error::Error + Send + Sync>> for ParseError {
+    fn from(e: Box<dyn std::error::Error + Send + Sync>) -> Self {
         Self {
             kind: ParseErrorKind::Field(e),
         }
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/env/mod.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/env/mod.rs
index 3cf9a44350..b95c8c3700 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/env/mod.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/env/mod.rs
@@ -102,7 +102,6 @@ use tracing_core::{
 /// [`Metadata`]: tracing_core::Metadata
 /// [`Targets`]: crate::filter::Targets
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(all(feature = "env-filter", feature = "std"))))]
-#[cfg(feature = "env-filter")]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct EnvFilter {
     statics: directive::Statics,
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/filter_fn.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/filter_fn.rs
index 9961161e94..eda7cef47c 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/filter_fn.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/filter_fn.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-use crate::subscribe::Filter;
 use crate::{
     filter::LevelFilter,
     subscribe::{Context, Subscribe},
 };
-use std::{any::type_name, fmt, marker::PhantomData};
+use core::{any::type_name, fmt, marker::PhantomData};
 use tracing_core::{Collect, Interest, Metadata};
 
 /// A filter implemented by a closure or function pointer that
@@ -323,25 +321,6 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "registry")))]
-impl<C, F> Filter<C> for FilterFn<F>
-where
-    F: Fn(&Metadata<'_>) -> bool,
-{
-    fn enabled(&self, metadata: &Metadata<'_>, _: &Context<'_, C>) -> bool {
-        self.is_enabled(metadata)
-    }
-
-    fn callsite_enabled(&self, metadata: &'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest {
-        self.is_callsite_enabled(metadata)
-    }
-
-    fn max_level_hint(&self) -> Option<LevelFilter> {
-        self.max_level_hint
-    }
-}
-
 impl<C, F> Subscribe<C> for FilterFn<F>
 where
     F: Fn(&Metadata<'_>) -> bool + 'static,
@@ -661,26 +640,6 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "registry")))]
-impl<C, F, R> Filter<C> for DynFilterFn<C, F, R>
-where
-    F: Fn(&Metadata<'_>, &Context<'_, C>) -> bool,
-    R: Fn(&'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest,
-{
-    fn enabled(&self, metadata: &Metadata<'_>, cx: &Context<'_, C>) -> bool {
-        self.is_enabled(metadata, cx)
-    }
-
-    fn callsite_enabled(&self, metadata: &'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest {
-        self.is_callsite_enabled(metadata)
-    }
-
-    fn max_level_hint(&self) -> Option<LevelFilter> {
-        self.max_level_hint
-    }
-}
-
 impl<C, F, R> Subscribe<C> for DynFilterFn<C, F, R>
 where
     F: Fn(&Metadata<'_>, &Context<'_, C>) -> bool + 'static,
@@ -741,6 +700,48 @@ where
     }
 }
 
+// === PLF impls ===
+
+feature! {
+    #![all(feature = "registry", feature = "std")]
+    use crate::subscribe::Filter;
+
+    impl<C, F> Filter<C> for FilterFn<F>
+    where
+        F: Fn(&Metadata<'_>) -> bool,
+    {
+        fn enabled(&self, metadata: &Metadata<'_>, _: &Context<'_, C>) -> bool {
+            self.is_enabled(metadata)
+        }
+
+        fn callsite_enabled(&self, metadata: &'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest {
+            self.is_callsite_enabled(metadata)
+        }
+
+        fn max_level_hint(&self) -> Option<LevelFilter> {
+            self.max_level_hint
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<C, F, R> Filter<C> for DynFilterFn<C, F, R>
+    where
+        F: Fn(&Metadata<'_>, &Context<'_, C>) -> bool,
+        R: Fn(&'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest,
+    {
+        fn enabled(&self, metadata: &Metadata<'_>, cx: &Context<'_, C>) -> bool {
+            self.is_enabled(metadata, cx)
+        }
+
+        fn callsite_enabled(&self, metadata: &'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest {
+            self.is_callsite_enabled(metadata)
+        }
+
+        fn max_level_hint(&self) -> Option<LevelFilter> {
+            self.max_level_hint
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 fn is_below_max_level(hint: &Option<LevelFilter>, metadata: &Metadata<'_>) -> bool {
     hint.as_ref()
         .map(|hint| metadata.level() <= hint)
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/mod.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/mod.rs
index 92959924bb..b50e5b2628 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/mod.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/mod.rs
@@ -8,36 +8,45 @@
 //!
 //! [`subscribe` module documentation]: crate::subscribe#filtering-with-subscribers
 //! [`Subscribe`]: crate::subscribe
-mod directive;
-#[cfg(feature = "env-filter")]
-mod env;
 mod filter_fn;
 mod level;
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-mod subscriber_filters;
-pub mod targets;
 
-pub use self::directive::ParseError;
+feature! {
+    #![all(feature = "env-filter", feature = "std")]
+    mod env;
+    pub use self::env::*;
+}
+
+feature! {
+    #![all(feature = "registry", feature = "std")]
+    mod subscriber_filters;
+    pub use self::subscriber_filters::*;
+}
+
 pub use self::filter_fn::*;
 #[cfg(not(feature = "registry"))]
 pub(crate) use self::has_psf_stubs::*;
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "registry")))]
-pub use self::subscriber_filters::*;
 
 pub use self::level::{LevelFilter, ParseError as LevelParseError};
 
-#[cfg(feature = "env-filter")]
-#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "env-filter")))]
-pub use self::env::*;
+#[cfg(not(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std")))]
+#[allow(unused_imports)]
+pub(crate) use self::has_psf_stubs::*;
+
+feature! {
+    #![any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc")]
+    pub mod targets;
+    pub use self::targets::Targets;
 
-pub use self::targets::Targets;
+    mod directive;
+    pub use self::directive::ParseError;
+}
 
 /// Stub implementations of the per-subscriber-fitler detection functions for
 /// when the `registry` feature is disabled.
-#[cfg(not(feature = "registry"))]
+#[cfg(not(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std")))]
 mod has_psf_stubs {
-    pub(crate) fn is_psf_downcast_marker(_: std::any::TypeId) -> bool {
+    pub(crate) fn is_psf_downcast_marker(_: core::any::TypeId) -> bool {
         false
     }
 
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/targets.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/targets.rs
index 705d8002e0..efe1cd8db8 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/targets.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/filter/targets.rs
@@ -13,8 +13,11 @@ use crate::{
     },
     subscribe,
 };
-use std::{
+#[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
+use alloc::string::String;
+use core::{
     iter::{Extend, FilterMap, FromIterator},
+    slice,
     str::FromStr,
 };
 use tracing_core::{Collect, Interest, Metadata};
@@ -462,7 +465,7 @@ impl Iterator for IntoIter {
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Iter<'a>(
     FilterMap<
-        std::slice::Iter<'a, StaticDirective>,
+        slice::Iter<'a, StaticDirective>,
         fn(&'a StaticDirective) -> Option<(&'a str, LevelFilter)>,
     >,
 );
@@ -494,6 +497,17 @@ impl<'a> Iterator for Iter<'a> {
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
 
+    feature! {
+        #![not(feature = "std")]
+        use alloc::{vec, vec::Vec, string::ToString};
+
+        // `dbg!` is only available with `libstd`; just nop it out when testing
+        // with alloc only.
+        macro_rules! dbg {
+            ($x:expr) => { $x }
+        }
+    }
+
     fn expect_parse(s: &str) -> Targets {
         match dbg!(s).parse::<Targets>() {
             Err(e) => panic!("string {:?} did not parse successfully: {}", s, e),
@@ -643,6 +657,8 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
+    // `println!` is only available with `libstd`.
+    #[cfg(feature = "std")]
     fn size_of_filters() {
         fn print_sz(s: &str) {
             let filter = s.parse::<Targets>().expect("filter should parse");
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/lib.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/lib.rs
index 326a3243d9..a5cc3d2aa6 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/lib.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/lib.rs
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
 //! [`time` crate]: https://crates.io/crates/time
 //! [`liballoc`]: https://doc.rust-lang.org/alloc/index.html
 //! [`libstd`]: https://doc.rust-lang.org/std/index.html
-#![doc(html_root_url = "https://docs.rs/tracing-subscriber/0.2.12")]
+#![doc(html_root_url = "https://docs.rs/tracing-subscriber/0.2.25")]
 #![doc(
     html_logo_url = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tokio-rs/tracing/master/assets/logo-type.png",
     html_favicon_url = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tokio-rs/tracing/master/assets/favicon.ico",
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/mod.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/mod.rs
index 21e70475af..301b45e125 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/mod.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/mod.rs
@@ -60,8 +60,6 @@
 //! [lookup]: crate::subscribe::Context::span()
 use core::fmt::Debug;
 
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-use crate::filter::FilterId;
 use tracing_core::{field::FieldSet, span::Id, Metadata};
 
 feature! {
@@ -80,6 +78,8 @@ feature! {
 
     pub use sharded::Data;
     pub use sharded::Registry;
+
+    use crate::filter::FilterId;
 }
 
 /// Provides access to stored span data.
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ pub struct Scope<'a, R> {
     registry: &'a R,
     next: Option<Id>,
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     filter: FilterId,
 }
 
@@ -237,7 +237,6 @@ feature! {
 
     #[cfg(not(feature = "smallvec"))]
     use alloc::vec::{self, Vec};
-
     use core::{fmt,iter};
 
     /// An iterator over the parents of a span, ordered from root to leaf.
@@ -319,18 +318,20 @@ where
         loop {
             let curr = self.registry.span(self.next.as_ref()?)?;
 
-            #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+            #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
             let curr = curr.with_filter(self.filter);
             self.next = curr.data.parent().cloned();
 
             // If the `Scope` is filtered, check if the current span is enabled
             // by the selected filter ID.
 
-            #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-            if !curr.is_enabled_for(self.filter) {
-                // The current span in the chain is disabled for this
-                // filter. Try its parent.
-                continue;
+            #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
+            {
+                if !curr.is_enabled_for(self.filter) {
+                    // The current span in the chain is disabled for this
+                    // filter. Try its parent.
+                    continue;
+                }
             }
 
             return Some(curr);
@@ -407,7 +408,7 @@ where
         let id = self.data.parent()?;
         let data = self.registry.span_data(id)?;
 
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         {
             // move these into mut bindings if the registry feature is enabled,
             // since they may be mutated in the loop.
@@ -428,7 +429,7 @@ where
             }
         }
 
-        #[cfg(not(feature = "registry"))]
+        #[cfg(not(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std")))]
         Some(Self {
             registry: self.registry,
             data,
@@ -532,7 +533,7 @@ where
         self.data.extensions_mut()
     }
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     pub(crate) fn try_with_filter(self, filter: FilterId) -> Option<Self> {
         if self.is_enabled_for(filter) {
             return Some(self.with_filter(filter));
@@ -542,13 +543,13 @@ where
     }
 
     #[inline]
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     pub(crate) fn is_enabled_for(&self, filter: FilterId) -> bool {
         self.data.is_enabled_for(filter)
     }
 
     #[inline]
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     fn with_filter(self, filter: FilterId) -> Self {
         Self { filter, ..self }
     }
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/sharded.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/sharded.rs
index c0618c9c4f..41d19e750e 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/sharded.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/registry/sharded.rs
@@ -86,8 +86,9 @@ use tracing_core::{
 /// [ot]: https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/blob/main/specification/trace/api.md#spancontext
 /// [fields]: https://docs.rs/tracing-core/latest/tracing-core/field/index.html
 /// [stored span data]: crate::registry::SpanData::extensions_mut
-#[derive(Debug)]
+#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))))]
+#[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Registry {
     spans: Pool<DataInner>,
     current_spans: ThreadLocal<RefCell<SpanStack>>,
@@ -103,6 +104,9 @@ pub struct Registry {
 ///
 /// [`Subscriber`s]: crate::Subscribe
 /// [extensions]: Extensions
+/// [`Registry`]: struct.Registry.html
+#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))))]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Data<'a> {
     /// Immutable reference to the pooled `DataInner` entry.
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/context.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/context.rs
index 222335bf76..183e1ceccb 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/context.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/context.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 use tracing_core::{collect::Collect, metadata::Metadata, span, Event};
 
 use crate::registry::{self, LookupSpan, SpanRef};
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
 use crate::{filter::FilterId, registry::Registry};
 /// Represents information about the current context provided to
 /// [subscriber][`Subscribe`]s by the wrapped [collector][`Collect`].
@@ -41,36 +42,10 @@ pub struct Context<'a, S> {
     /// [`Filtered`]: crate::filter::Filtered
     /// [`FilterId`]: crate::filter::FilterId
     /// [`and`]: crate::filter::FilterId::and
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     filter: FilterId,
 }
 
-/// An iterator over the [stored data] for all the spans in the
-/// current context, starting the root of the trace tree and ending with
-/// the current span.
-///
-/// This is returned by [`Context::scope`].
-///
-/// [stored data]: ../registry/struct.SpanRef.html
-/// [`Context::scope`]: struct.Context.html#method.scope
-#[deprecated(note = "renamed to crate::registry::ScopeFromRoot", since = "0.2.19")]
-#[derive(Debug)]
-pub struct Scope<'a, L>(std::iter::Flatten<std::option::IntoIter<registry::ScopeFromRoot<'a, L>>>)
-where
-    L: LookupSpan<'a>;
-
-#[allow(deprecated)]
-impl<'a, L> Iterator for Scope<'a, L>
-where
-    L: LookupSpan<'a>,
-{
-    type Item = SpanRef<'a, L>;
-
-    fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
-        self.0.next()
-    }
-}
-
 // === impl Context ===
 
 impl<'a, C> Context<'a, C>
@@ -239,7 +214,7 @@ where
     {
         let span = self.subscriber.as_ref()?.span(id)?;
 
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         return span.try_with_filter(self.filter);
 
         #[cfg(not(feature = "registry"))]
@@ -293,22 +268,23 @@ where
         );
 
         // If we found a span, and our per-subscriber filter enables it, return that
-        // span!
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-        if let Some(span) = span?.try_with_filter(self.filter) {
-            Some(span)
-        } else {
-            // Otherwise, the span at the *top* of the stack is disabled by
-            // per-subscriber filtering, but there may be additional spans in the stack.
-            //
-            // Currently, `LookupSpan` doesn't have a nice way of exposing access to
-            // the whole span stack. However, if we can downcast the innermost
-            // collector to a a `Registry`, we can iterate over its current span
-            // stack.
-            //
-            // TODO(eliza): when https://github.com/tokio-rs/tracing/issues/1459 is
-            // implemented, change this to use that instead...
-            self.lookup_current_filtered(subscriber)
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
+        {
+            if let Some(span) = span?.try_with_filter(self.filter) {
+                Some(span)
+            } else {
+                // Otherwise, the span at the *top* of the stack is disabled by
+                // per-subscriber filtering, but there may be additional spans in the stack.
+                //
+                // Currently, `LookupSpan` doesn't have a nice way of exposing access to
+                // the whole span stack. However, if we can downcast the innermost
+                // collector to a a `Registry`, we can iterate over its current span
+                // stack.
+                //
+                // TODO(eliza): when https://github.com/tokio-rs/tracing/issues/1459 is
+                // implemented, change this to use that instead...
+                self.lookup_current_filtered(subscriber)
+            }
         }
 
         #[cfg(not(feature = "registry"))]
@@ -322,7 +298,7 @@ where
     // factored out to prevent the loop and (potentially-recursive) subscriber
     // downcasting from being inlined if `lookup_current` is inlined.
     #[inline(never)]
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     fn lookup_current_filtered<'lookup>(
         &self,
         subscriber: &'lookup C,
@@ -399,7 +375,7 @@ where
         Some(self.event_span(event)?.scope())
     }
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     pub(crate) fn with_filter(self, filter: FilterId) -> Self {
         // If we already have our own `FilterId`, combine it with the provided
         // one. That way, the new `FilterId` will consider a span to be disabled
@@ -411,7 +387,7 @@ where
         Self { filter, ..self }
     }
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     pub(crate) fn is_enabled_for(&self, span: &span::Id, filter: FilterId) -> bool
     where
         C: for<'lookup> LookupSpan<'lookup>,
@@ -419,7 +395,7 @@ where
         self.is_enabled_inner(span, filter).unwrap_or(false)
     }
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     pub(crate) fn if_enabled_for(self, span: &span::Id, filter: FilterId) -> Option<Self>
     where
         C: for<'lookup> LookupSpan<'lookup>,
@@ -431,7 +407,7 @@ where
         }
     }
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     fn is_enabled_inner(&self, span: &span::Id, filter: FilterId) -> Option<bool>
     where
         C: for<'lookup> LookupSpan<'lookup>,
@@ -458,7 +434,7 @@ impl<'a, S> Clone for Context<'a, S> {
         Context {
             subscriber,
 
-            #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+            #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
             filter: self.filter,
         }
     }
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/layered.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/layered.rs
index ae288147e1..1db7cf0a96 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/layered.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/layered.rs
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ use crate::{
     registry::LookupSpan,
     subscribe::{Context, Subscribe},
 };
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
 use crate::{filter::FilterId, registry::Registry};
-use std::{any::TypeId, fmt, marker::PhantomData, ptr::NonNull};
+use core::{any::TypeId, cmp, fmt, marker::PhantomData, ptr::NonNull};
 
 /// A [collector] composed of a [collector] wrapped by one or more
 /// [subscriber]s.
@@ -142,16 +142,16 @@ where
     }
 
     fn try_close(&self, id: span::Id) -> bool {
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         let subscriber = &self.inner as &dyn Collect;
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         let mut guard = subscriber
             .downcast_ref::<Registry>()
             .map(|registry| registry.start_close(id.clone()));
         if self.inner.try_close(id.clone()) {
             // If we have a registry's close guard, indicate that the span is
             // closing.
-            #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+            #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
             {
                 if let Some(g) = guard.as_mut() {
                     g.is_closing()
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ where
         self.inner.span_data(id)
     }
 
-    #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+    #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
     fn register_filter(&mut self) -> FilterId {
         self.inner.register_filter()
     }
@@ -362,9 +362,9 @@ where
     C: Collect,
 {
     pub(super) fn new(subscriber: A, inner: B, inner_has_subscriber_filter: bool) -> Self {
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         let inner_is_registry = TypeId::of::<C>() == TypeId::of::<crate::registry::Registry>();
-        #[cfg(not(feature = "registry"))]
+        #[cfg(not(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std")))]
         let inner_is_registry = false;
 
         let inner_has_subscriber_filter = inner_has_subscriber_filter || inner_is_registry;
@@ -427,14 +427,12 @@ where
         outer_hint: Option<LevelFilter>,
         inner_hint: Option<LevelFilter>,
     ) -> Option<LevelFilter> {
-        use std::cmp::max;
-
         if self.inner_is_registry {
             return outer_hint;
         }
 
         if self.has_subscriber_filter && self.inner_has_subscriber_filter {
-            return Some(max(outer_hint?, inner_hint?));
+            return Some(cmp::max(outer_hint?, inner_hint?));
         }
 
         if self.has_subscriber_filter && inner_hint.is_none() {
@@ -445,7 +443,7 @@ where
             return None;
         }
 
-        max(outer_hint, inner_hint)
+        cmp::max(outer_hint, inner_hint)
     }
 }
 
@@ -455,13 +453,13 @@ where
     B: fmt::Debug,
 {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         let alt = f.alternate();
         let mut s = f.debug_struct("Layered");
         // These additional fields are more verbose and usually only necessary
         // for internal debugging purposes, so only print them if alternate mode
         // is enabled.
-        #[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+        #[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
         if alt {
             s.field("inner_is_registry", &self.inner_is_registry)
                 .field("has_subscriber_filter", &self.has_subscriber_filter)
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/mod.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/mod.rs
index 1299e149e2..c59f85d33d 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/mod.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/mod.rs
@@ -499,17 +499,21 @@
 //! [`LevelFilter`]: crate::filter::LevelFilter
 //! [feat]: crate#feature-flags
 use crate::filter;
-use std::{
-    any::TypeId,
-    ops::{Deref, DerefMut},
-    ptr::NonNull,
-};
+
 use tracing_core::{
     collect::{Collect, Interest},
     metadata::Metadata,
     span, Event, LevelFilter,
 };
 
+use core::{any::TypeId, ptr::NonNull};
+
+feature! {
+    #![feature = "alloc"]
+    use alloc::boxed::Box;
+    use core::ops::{Deref, DerefMut};
+}
+
 mod context;
 mod layered;
 pub use self::{context::*, layered::*};
@@ -560,6 +564,7 @@ where
     /// [`register_filter`]: crate::registry::LookupSpan::register_filter
     /// [per-subscribe filtering]: #per-subscriber-filtering
     /// [`FilterId`]: crate::filter::FilterId
+    /// [collector]: tracing_core::Collect
     fn on_subscribe(&mut self, collector: &mut C) {
         let _ = collector;
     }
@@ -875,8 +880,8 @@ where
 
 /// A per-[`Subscribe`] filter that determines whether a span or event is enabled
 /// for an individual subscriber.
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
-#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "registry")))]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
+#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))))]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(notable_trait))]
 pub trait Filter<S> {
     /// Returns `true` if this subscriber is interested in a span or event with the
@@ -1205,6 +1210,7 @@ where
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 macro_rules! subscriber_impl_body {
     () => {
         #[inline]
@@ -1217,21 +1223,11 @@ macro_rules! subscriber_impl_body {
             self.deref().on_new_span(attrs, id, ctx)
         }
 
-        #[inline]
-        fn register_callsite(&self, metadata: &'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest {
-            self.deref().register_callsite(metadata)
-        }
-
         #[inline]
         fn enabled(&self, metadata: &Metadata<'_>, ctx: Context<'_, C>) -> bool {
             self.deref().enabled(metadata, ctx)
         }
 
-        #[inline]
-        fn max_level_hint(&self) -> Option<LevelFilter> {
-            self.deref().max_level_hint()
-        }
-
         #[inline]
         fn on_record(&self, span: &span::Id, values: &span::Record<'_>, ctx: Context<'_, C>) {
             self.deref().on_record(span, values, ctx)
@@ -1275,19 +1271,23 @@ macro_rules! subscriber_impl_body {
     };
 }
 
-impl<S, C> Subscribe<C> for Box<S>
-where
-    S: Subscribe<C>,
-    C: Collect,
-{
-    subscriber_impl_body! {}
-}
+feature! {
+    #![any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc")]
 
-impl<C> Subscribe<C> for Box<dyn Subscribe<C>>
-where
-    C: Collect,
-{
-    subscriber_impl_body! {}
+    impl<S, C> Subscribe<C> for Box<S>
+    where
+        S: Subscribe<C>,
+        C: Collect,
+    {
+        subscriber_impl_body! {}
+    }
+
+    impl<C> Subscribe<C> for Box<dyn Subscribe<C>>
+    where
+        C: Collect,
+    {
+        subscriber_impl_body! {}
+    }
 }
 
 // === impl CollectExt ===
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/tests.rs b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/tests.rs
index 1d088117f7..777aa59d4a 100644
--- a/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/tests.rs
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/src/subscribe/tests.rs
@@ -20,8 +20,9 @@ impl Collect for NopCollector {
     fn event(&self, _: &Event<'_>) {}
     fn enter(&self, _: &span::Id) {}
     fn exit(&self, _: &span::Id) {}
+
     fn current_span(&self) -> span::Current {
-        span::Current::unknown()
+        todo!()
     }
 }
 
@@ -36,15 +37,15 @@ impl<C: Collect> Subscribe<C> for NopSubscriber2 {}
 /// A subscriber that holds a string.
 ///
 /// Used to test that pointers returned by downcasting are actually valid.
-struct StringSubscriber(String);
+struct StringSubscriber(&'static str);
 impl<C: Collect> Subscribe<C> for StringSubscriber {}
-struct StringSubscriber2(String);
+struct StringSubscriber2(&'static str);
 impl<C: Collect> Subscribe<C> for StringSubscriber2 {}
 
-struct StringSubscriber3(String);
+struct StringSubscriber3(&'static str);
 impl<C: Collect> Subscribe<C> for StringSubscriber3 {}
 
-pub(crate) struct StringCollector(String);
+pub(crate) struct StringCollector(&'static str);
 
 impl Collect for StringCollector {
     fn register_callsite(&self, _: &'static Metadata<'static>) -> Interest {
@@ -100,30 +101,30 @@ fn downcasts_to_collector() {
     let s = NopSubscriber
         .and_then(NopSubscriber)
         .and_then(NopSubscriber)
-        .with_collector(StringCollector("collector".into()));
+        .with_collector(StringCollector("collector"));
     let collector =
         <dyn Collect>::downcast_ref::<StringCollector>(&s).expect("collector should downcast");
-    assert_eq!(&collector.0, "collector");
+    assert_eq!(collector.0, "collector");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn downcasts_to_subscriber() {
-    let s = StringSubscriber("subscriber_1".into())
-        .and_then(StringSubscriber2("subscriber_2".into()))
-        .and_then(StringSubscriber3("subscriber_3".into()))
+    let s = StringSubscriber("subscriber_1")
+        .and_then(StringSubscriber2("subscriber_2"))
+        .and_then(StringSubscriber3("subscriber_3"))
         .with_collector(NopCollector);
     let subscriber =
         <dyn Collect>::downcast_ref::<StringSubscriber>(&s).expect("subscriber 1 should downcast");
-    assert_eq!(&subscriber.0, "subscriber_1");
+    assert_eq!(subscriber.0, "subscriber_1");
     let subscriber =
         <dyn Collect>::downcast_ref::<StringSubscriber2>(&s).expect("subscriber 2 should downcast");
-    assert_eq!(&subscriber.0, "subscriber_2");
+    assert_eq!(subscriber.0, "subscriber_2");
     let subscriber =
         <dyn Collect>::downcast_ref::<StringSubscriber3>(&s).expect("subscriber 3 should downcast");
-    assert_eq!(&subscriber.0, "subscriber_3");
+    assert_eq!(subscriber.0, "subscriber_3");
 }
 
-#[cfg(feature = "registry")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "registry", feature = "std"))]
 mod registry_tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::registry::LookupSpan;
diff --git a/tracing-subscriber/tests/subscriber_filters/boxed.rs b/tracing-subscriber/tests/subscriber_filters/boxed.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..85c9992a1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tracing-subscriber/tests/subscriber_filters/boxed.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+use super::*;
+use tracing_subscriber::{filter, prelude::*, Subscribe};
+
+fn subscribe() -> (ExpectSubscriber, subscriber::MockHandle) {
+    subscribe::mock().done().run_with_handle()
+}
+
+fn filter<S>() -> filter::DynFilterFn<S> {
+    // Use dynamic filter fn to disable interest caching and max-level hints,
+    // allowing us to put all of these tests in the same file.
+    filter::dynamic_filter_fn(|_, _| false)
+}
+
+/// reproduces https://github.com/tokio-rs/tracing/issues/1563#issuecomment-921363629
+#[test]
+fn box_works() {
+    let (subscribe, handle) = subscribe();
+    let subscribe = Box::new(subscribe.with_filter(filter()));
+
+    let _guard = tracing_subscriber::registry().with(subscribe).set_default();
+
+    for i in 0..2 {
+        tracing::info!(i);
+    }
+
+    handle.assert_finished();
+}
+
+/// the same as `box_works` but with a type-erased `Box`.
+#[test]
+fn dyn_box_works() {
+    let (subscribe, handle) = subscribe();
+    let subscribe: Box<dyn Subscribe<_> + Send + Sync + 'static> =
+        Box::new(subscribe.with_filter(filter()));
+
+    let _guard = tracing_subscriber::registry().with(subscribe).set_default();
+
+    for i in 0..2 {
+        tracing::info!(i);
+    }
+
+    handle.assert_finished();
+}