diff --git a/libp2p/dial.nim b/libp2p/dial.nim
index 422af7018..5d46cf5fc 100644
--- a/libp2p/dial.nim
+++ b/libp2p/dial.nim
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ method connect*(
   addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
   forceDial = false,
   reuseConnection = true,
-  upgradeDir = Direction.Out) {.async, base.} =
+  dir = Direction.Out) {.async, base.} =
   ## connect remote peer without negotiating
   ## a protocol
   ##
diff --git a/libp2p/dialer.nim b/libp2p/dialer.nim
index 9fabd3f3d..986f4e370 100644
--- a/libp2p/dialer.nim
+++ b/libp2p/dialer.nim
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ proc dialAndUpgrade(
   peerId: Opt[PeerId],
   hostname: string,
   address: MultiAddress,
-  upgradeDir = Direction.Out):
+  dir = Direction.Out):
   Future[Muxer] {.async.} =
 
   for transport in self.transports: # for each transport
@@ -75,15 +75,19 @@ proc dialAndUpgrade(
 
       let mux =
         try:
-          dialed.transportDir = upgradeDir
-          await transport.upgrade(dialed, upgradeDir, peerId)
+          # This is for the very specific case of a simultaneous dial during DCUtR. In this case, both sides will have
+          # an Outbound direction at the transport level. Therefore we update the DCUtR initiator transport direction to Inbound.
+          # The if below is more general and might handle other use cases in the future.
+          if dialed.dir != dir:
+            dialed.dir = dir
+          await transport.upgrade(dialed, peerId)
         except CatchableError as exc:
           # If we failed to establish the connection through one transport,
           # we won't succeeded through another - no use in trying again
           await dialed.close()
           debug "Upgrade failed", err = exc.msg, peerId = peerId.get(default(PeerId))
           if exc isnot CancelledError:
-            if upgradeDir == Direction.Out:
+            if dialed.dir == Direction.Out:
               libp2p_failed_upgrades_outgoing.inc()
             else:
               libp2p_failed_upgrades_incoming.inc()
@@ -91,7 +95,7 @@ proc dialAndUpgrade(
           # Try other address
           return nil
 
-      doAssert not isNil(mux), "connection died after upgrade " & $upgradeDir
+      doAssert not isNil(mux), "connection died after upgrade " & $dialed.dir
       debug "Dial successful", peerId = mux.connection.peerId
       return mux
   return nil
@@ -128,7 +132,7 @@ proc dialAndUpgrade(
   self: Dialer,
   peerId: Opt[PeerId],
   addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
-  upgradeDir = Direction.Out):
+  dir = Direction.Out):
   Future[Muxer] {.async.} =
 
   debug "Dialing peer", peerId = peerId.get(default(PeerId))
@@ -146,7 +150,7 @@ proc dialAndUpgrade(
           else: await self.nameResolver.resolveMAddress(expandedAddress)
 
       for resolvedAddress in resolvedAddresses:
-        result = await self.dialAndUpgrade(addrPeerId, hostname, resolvedAddress, upgradeDir)
+        result = await self.dialAndUpgrade(addrPeerId, hostname, resolvedAddress, dir)
         if not isNil(result):
           return result
 
@@ -164,7 +168,7 @@ proc internalConnect(
   addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
   forceDial: bool,
   reuseConnection = true,
-  upgradeDir = Direction.Out):
+  dir = Direction.Out):
   Future[Muxer] {.async.} =
   if Opt.some(self.localPeerId) == peerId:
     raise newException(CatchableError, "can't dial self!")
@@ -182,7 +186,7 @@ proc internalConnect(
     let slot = self.connManager.getOutgoingSlot(forceDial)
     let muxed =
       try:
-        await self.dialAndUpgrade(peerId, addrs, upgradeDir)
+        await self.dialAndUpgrade(peerId, addrs, dir)
       except CatchableError as exc:
         slot.release()
         raise exc
@@ -209,7 +213,7 @@ method connect*(
   addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
   forceDial = false,
   reuseConnection = true,
-  upgradeDir = Direction.Out) {.async.} =
+  dir = Direction.Out) {.async.} =
   ## connect remote peer without negotiating
   ## a protocol
   ##
@@ -217,7 +221,7 @@ method connect*(
   if self.connManager.connCount(peerId) > 0 and reuseConnection:
     return
 
-  discard await self.internalConnect(Opt.some(peerId), addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, upgradeDir)
+  discard await self.internalConnect(Opt.some(peerId), addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, dir)
 
 method connect*(
   self: Dialer,
diff --git a/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/client.nim b/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/client.nim
index 19dda0cef..d76021802 100644
--- a/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/client.nim
+++ b/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/client.nim
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ proc startSync*(self: DcutrClient, switch: Switch, remotePeerId: PeerId, addrs:
 
     if peerDialableAddrs.len > self.maxDialableAddrs:
         peerDialableAddrs = peerDialableAddrs[0..<self.maxDialableAddrs]
-    var futs = peerDialableAddrs.mapIt(switch.connect(stream.peerId, @[it], forceDial = true, reuseConnection = false, upgradeDir = Direction.In))
+    var futs = peerDialableAddrs.mapIt(switch.connect(stream.peerId, @[it], forceDial = true, reuseConnection = false, dir = Direction.In))
     try:
       discard await anyCompleted(futs).wait(self.connectTimeout)
       debug "Dcutr initiator has directly connected to the remote peer."
diff --git a/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/server.nim b/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/server.nim
index 179537af9..f096d9d63 100644
--- a/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/server.nim
+++ b/libp2p/protocols/connectivity/dcutr/server.nim
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ proc new*(T: typedesc[Dcutr], switch: Switch, connectTimeout = 15.seconds, maxDi
 
       if peerDialableAddrs.len > maxDialableAddrs:
         peerDialableAddrs = peerDialableAddrs[0..<maxDialableAddrs]
-      var futs = peerDialableAddrs.mapIt(switch.connect(stream.peerId, @[it], forceDial = true, reuseConnection = false, upgradeDir = Direction.Out))
+      var futs = peerDialableAddrs.mapIt(switch.connect(stream.peerId, @[it], forceDial = true, reuseConnection = false, dir = Direction.Out))
       try:
         discard await anyCompleted(futs).wait(connectTimeout)
         debug "Dcutr receiver has directly connected to the remote peer."
diff --git a/libp2p/protocols/secure/secure.nim b/libp2p/protocols/secure/secure.nim
index 96526714d..9f1cad36e 100644
--- a/libp2p/protocols/secure/secure.nim
+++ b/libp2p/protocols/secure/secure.nim
@@ -135,10 +135,9 @@ method init*(s: Secure) =
 
 method secure*(s: Secure,
                conn: Connection,
-               initiator: bool,
                peerId: Opt[PeerId]):
                Future[Connection] {.base.} =
-  s.handleConn(conn, initiator, peerId)
+  s.handleConn(conn, conn.dir == Direction.Out, peerId)
 
 method readOnce*(s: SecureConn,
                  pbytes: pointer,
diff --git a/libp2p/switch.nim b/libp2p/switch.nim
index dabbc2f70..3fa361e19 100644
--- a/libp2p/switch.nim
+++ b/libp2p/switch.nim
@@ -141,10 +141,10 @@ method connect*(
   addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
   forceDial = false,
   reuseConnection = true,
-  upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.public.} =
+  dir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.public.} =
   ## Connects to a peer without opening a stream to it
 
-  s.dialer.connect(peerId, addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, upgradeDir)
+  s.dialer.connect(peerId, addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, dir)
 
 method connect*(
   s: Switch,
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ proc mount*[T: LPProtocol](s: Switch, proto: T, matcher: Matcher = nil)
   s.peerInfo.protocols.add(proto.codec)
 
 proc upgrader(switch: Switch, trans: Transport, conn: Connection) {.async.} =
-  let muxed = await trans.upgrade(conn, Direction.In, Opt.none(PeerId))
+  let muxed = await trans.upgrade(conn, Opt.none(PeerId))
   switch.connManager.storeMuxer(muxed)
   await switch.peerStore.identify(muxed)
   trace "Connection upgrade succeeded"
diff --git a/libp2p/transports/transport.nim b/libp2p/transports/transport.nim
index 5c4a53503..40b130a8c 100644
--- a/libp2p/transports/transport.nim
+++ b/libp2p/transports/transport.nim
@@ -83,13 +83,12 @@ proc dial*(
 method upgrade*(
   self: Transport,
   conn: Connection,
-  direction: Direction,
   peerId: Opt[PeerId]): Future[Muxer] {.base, gcsafe.} =
   ## base upgrade method that the transport uses to perform
   ## transport specific upgrades
   ##
 
-  self.upgrader.upgrade(conn, direction, peerId)
+  self.upgrader.upgrade(conn, peerId)
 
 method handles*(
   self: Transport,
diff --git a/libp2p/upgrademngrs/muxedupgrade.nim b/libp2p/upgrademngrs/muxedupgrade.nim
index 05d751c94..55a2c5dc3 100644
--- a/libp2p/upgrademngrs/muxedupgrade.nim
+++ b/libp2p/upgrademngrs/muxedupgrade.nim
@@ -32,8 +32,7 @@ proc getMuxerByCodec(self: MuxedUpgrade, muxerName: string): MuxerProvider =
 
 proc mux*(
   self: MuxedUpgrade,
-  conn: Connection,
-  direction: Direction): Future[Muxer] {.async, gcsafe.} =
+  conn: Connection): Future[Muxer] {.async, gcsafe.} =
   ## mux connection
 
   trace "Muxing connection", conn
@@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ proc mux*(
     return
 
   let muxerName =
-    if direction == Out: await self.ms.select(conn, self.muxers.mapIt(it.codec))
+    if conn.dir == Out: await self.ms.select(conn, self.muxers.mapIt(it.codec))
     else: await MultistreamSelect.handle(conn, self.muxers.mapIt(it.codec))
 
   if muxerName.len == 0 or muxerName == "na":
@@ -62,16 +61,15 @@ proc mux*(
 method upgrade*(
   self: MuxedUpgrade,
   conn: Connection,
-  direction: Direction,
   peerId: Opt[PeerId]): Future[Muxer] {.async.} =
-  trace "Upgrading connection", conn, direction
+  trace "Upgrading connection", conn, direction = conn.dir
 
-  let sconn = await self.secure(conn, direction, peerId) # secure the connection
+  let sconn = await self.secure(conn, peerId) # secure the connection
   if isNil(sconn):
     raise newException(UpgradeFailedError,
       "unable to secure connection, stopping upgrade")
 
-  let muxer = await self.mux(sconn, direction) # mux it if possible
+  let muxer = await self.mux(sconn) # mux it if possible
   if muxer == nil:
     raise newException(UpgradeFailedError,
       "a muxer is required for outgoing connections")
@@ -84,7 +82,7 @@ method upgrade*(
     raise newException(UpgradeFailedError,
       "Connection closed or missing peer info, stopping upgrade")
 
-  trace "Upgraded connection", conn, sconn, direction
+  trace "Upgraded connection", conn, sconn, direction = conn.dir
   return muxer
 
 proc new*(
diff --git a/libp2p/upgrademngrs/upgrade.nim b/libp2p/upgrademngrs/upgrade.nim
index 49e70a900..ca4195ea6 100644
--- a/libp2p/upgrademngrs/upgrade.nim
+++ b/libp2p/upgrademngrs/upgrade.nim
@@ -40,20 +40,18 @@ type
 method upgrade*(
   self: Upgrade,
   conn: Connection,
-  direction: Direction,
   peerId: Opt[PeerId]): Future[Muxer] {.base.} =
   doAssert(false, "Not implemented!")
 
 proc secure*(
   self: Upgrade,
   conn: Connection,
-  direction: Direction,
   peerId: Opt[PeerId]): Future[Connection] {.async, gcsafe.} =
   if self.secureManagers.len <= 0:
     raise newException(UpgradeFailedError, "No secure managers registered!")
 
   let codec =
-    if direction == Out: await self.ms.select(conn, self.secureManagers.mapIt(it.codec))
+    if conn.dir == Out: await self.ms.select(conn, self.secureManagers.mapIt(it.codec))
     else: await MultistreamSelect.handle(conn, self.secureManagers.mapIt(it.codec))
   if codec.len == 0:
     raise newException(UpgradeFailedError, "Unable to negotiate a secure channel!")
@@ -65,4 +63,4 @@ proc secure*(
   # let's avoid duplicating checks but detect if it fails to do it properly
   doAssert(secureProtocol.len > 0)
 
-  return await secureProtocol[0].secure(conn, direction == Out, peerId)
+  return await secureProtocol[0].secure(conn, peerId)
diff --git a/tests/stubs/switchstub.nim b/tests/stubs/switchstub.nim
index e93065b01..23b497365 100644
--- a/tests/stubs/switchstub.nim
+++ b/tests/stubs/switchstub.nim
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ type
                            addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
                            forceDial = false,
                            reuseConnection = true,
-                           upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void]  {.gcsafe, async.}
+                           dir = Direction.Out): Future[void]  {.gcsafe, async.}
 
 method connect*(
  self: SwitchStub,
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ method connect*(
  addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
  forceDial = false,
  reuseConnection = true,
- upgradeDir = Direction.Out) {.async.} =
+ dir = Direction.Out) {.async.} =
   if (self.connectStub != nil):
-    await self.connectStub(self, peerId, addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, upgradeDir)
+    await self.connectStub(self, peerId, addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, dir)
   else:
-    await self.switch.connect(peerId, addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, upgradeDir)
+    await self.switch.connect(peerId, addrs, forceDial, reuseConnection, dir)
 
 proc new*(T: typedesc[SwitchStub], switch: Switch, connectStub: connectStubType = nil): T =
   return SwitchStub(
diff --git a/tests/testdcutr.nim b/tests/testdcutr.nim
index c125373ae..da6fb5e38 100644
--- a/tests/testdcutr.nim
+++ b/tests/testdcutr.nim
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ suite "Dcutr":
                              addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
                              forceDial = false,
                              reuseConnection = true,
-                             upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
+                             dir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
        await sleepAsync(100.millis)
 
      let behindNATSwitch = SwitchStub.new(newStandardSwitch(), connectTimeoutProc)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ suite "Dcutr":
                           addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
                           forceDial = false,
                           reuseConnection = true,
-                          upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
+                          dir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
       raise newException(CatchableError, "error")
 
     let behindNATSwitch = SwitchStub.new(newStandardSwitch(), connectErrorProc)
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ suite "Dcutr":
                      addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
                      forceDial = false,
                      reuseConnection = true,
-                     upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
+                     dir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
         await sleepAsync(100.millis)
 
     await ductrServerTest(connectProc)
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ suite "Dcutr":
                      addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
                      forceDial = false,
                      reuseConnection = true,
-                     upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
+                     dir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
         raise newException(CatchableError, "error")
 
     await ductrServerTest(connectProc)
diff --git a/tests/testhpservice.nim b/tests/testhpservice.nim
index 48f2bbb83..3897d05e7 100644
--- a/tests/testhpservice.nim
+++ b/tests/testhpservice.nim
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ suite "Hole Punching":
                     addrs: seq[MultiAddress],
                     forceDial = false,
                     reuseConnection = true,
-                    upgradeDir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
+                    dir = Direction.Out): Future[void] {.async.} =
       self.connectStub = nil # this stub should be called only once
       raise newException(CatchableError, "error")
 
diff --git a/tests/testnoise.nim b/tests/testnoise.nim
index f598b4202..ef05a1402 100644
--- a/tests/testnoise.nim
+++ b/tests/testnoise.nim
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ suite "Noise":
 
     proc acceptHandler() {.async.} =
       let conn = await transport1.accept()
-      let sconn = await serverNoise.secure(conn, false, Opt.none(PeerId))
+      let sconn = await serverNoise.secure(conn, Opt.none(PeerId))
       try:
         await sconn.write("Hello!")
       finally:
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ suite "Noise":
       clientNoise = Noise.new(rng, clientPrivKey, outgoing = true)
       conn = await transport2.dial(transport1.addrs[0])
 
-    let sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, true, Opt.some(serverInfo.peerId))
+    let sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, Opt.some(serverInfo.peerId))
 
     var msg = newSeq[byte](6)
     await sconn.readExactly(addr msg[0], 6)
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ suite "Noise":
       var conn: Connection
       try:
         conn = await transport1.accept()
-        discard await serverNoise.secure(conn, false, Opt.none(PeerId))
+        discard await serverNoise.secure(conn, Opt.none(PeerId))
       except CatchableError:
         discard
       finally:
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ suite "Noise":
 
     var sconn: Connection = nil
     expect(NoiseDecryptTagError):
-      sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, true, Opt.some(conn.peerId))
+      sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, Opt.some(conn.peerId))
 
     await conn.close()
     await handlerWait
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ suite "Noise":
 
     proc acceptHandler() {.async, gcsafe.} =
       let conn = await transport1.accept()
-      let sconn = await serverNoise.secure(conn, false, Opt.none(PeerId))
+      let sconn = await serverNoise.secure(conn, Opt.none(PeerId))
       defer:
         await sconn.close()
         await conn.close()
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ suite "Noise":
       clientInfo = PeerInfo.new(clientPrivKey, transport1.addrs)
       clientNoise = Noise.new(rng, clientPrivKey, outgoing = true)
       conn = await transport2.dial(transport1.addrs[0])
-    let sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, true, Opt.some(serverInfo.peerId))
+    let sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, Opt.some(serverInfo.peerId))
 
     await sconn.write("Hello!")
     await acceptFut
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ suite "Noise":
 
     proc acceptHandler() {.async, gcsafe.} =
       let conn = await transport1.accept()
-      let sconn = await serverNoise.secure(conn, false, Opt.none(PeerId))
+      let sconn = await serverNoise.secure(conn, Opt.none(PeerId))
       defer:
         await sconn.close()
       let msg = await sconn.readLp(1024*1024)
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ suite "Noise":
       clientInfo = PeerInfo.new(clientPrivKey, transport1.addrs)
       clientNoise = Noise.new(rng, clientPrivKey, outgoing = true)
       conn = await transport2.dial(transport1.addrs[0])
-    let sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, true, Opt.some(serverInfo.peerId))
+    let sconn = await clientNoise.secure(conn, Opt.some(serverInfo.peerId))
 
     await sconn.writeLp(hugePayload)
     await readTask