diff --git a/crates/fayalite-proc-macros-impl/src/module/transform_body/expand_match.rs b/crates/fayalite-proc-macros-impl/src/module/transform_body/expand_match.rs
index ca06c0b..605f662 100644
--- a/crates/fayalite-proc-macros-impl/src/module/transform_body/expand_match.rs
+++ b/crates/fayalite-proc-macros-impl/src/module/transform_body/expand_match.rs
@@ -1096,11 +1096,9 @@ impl Visitor<'_> {
                 let (#(#bindings,)*) = {
                     type __MatchTy<T> = <T as ::fayalite::ty::Type>::SimValue;
                     let __match_value = #expr;
-                    let __match_value = {
-                        use ::fayalite::sim::value::match_sim_value::*;
-                        // use method syntax to deduce the correct trait to call
-                        ::fayalite::sim::value::match_sim_value::MatchSimValueHelper::new(__match_value).__fayalite_match_sim_value()
-                    };
+                    // use method syntax to deduce what type to convert to
+                    let __match_value = ::fayalite::sim::value::match_sim_value::MatchSimValueHelper::new(__match_value)
+                        .__fayalite_match_sim_value();
                     #let_token #pat #eq_token __match_value #semi_token
                     (#(#bindings_idents,)*)
                 };
@@ -1172,11 +1170,9 @@ impl Visitor<'_> {
                 {
                     type __MatchTy<T> = <T as ::fayalite::ty::Type>::SimValue;
                     let __match_value = #expr;
-                    let __match_value = {
-                        use ::fayalite::sim::value::match_sim_value::*;
-                        // use method syntax to deduce the correct trait to call
-                        ::fayalite::sim::value::match_sim_value::MatchSimValueHelper::new(__match_value).__fayalite_match_sim_value()
-                    };
+                    // use method syntax to deduce what type to convert to
+                    let __match_value = ::fayalite::sim::value::match_sim_value::MatchSimValueHelper::new(__match_value)
+                        .__fayalite_match_sim_value();
                     #match_token __match_value {
                         #(#arms)*
                     }
diff --git a/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_let_statements/destructuring.rs b/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_let_statements/destructuring.rs
index 8d70d21..065e5de 100644
--- a/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_let_statements/destructuring.rs
+++ b/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_let_statements/destructuring.rs
@@ -95,7 +95,23 @@
 //! }
 //!
 //! #[hdl]
-//! fn destructure_to_sim_value<'a, T: Type>(v: impl ToSimValue<Type = MyStruct<T>>) {
+//! fn destructure_inner<T: Type>(v: <MyStruct<T> as Type>::SimValue) {
+//!     #[hdl(sim)]
+//!     let MyStruct::<T> {
+//!         a,
+//!         mut b,
+//!         c,
+//!     } = v;
+//!
+//!     // that gives these types:
+//!     let _: SimValue<UInt<8>> = a;
+//!     let _: SimValue<Bool> = b;
+//!     let _: SimValue<T> = c;
+//!     *b = false; // can modify b since mut was used
+//! }
+//!
+//! #[hdl]
+//! fn destructure_inner_ref<'a, T: Type>(v: &'a <MyStruct<T> as Type>::SimValue) {
 //!     #[hdl(sim)]
 //!     let MyStruct::<T> {
 //!         a,
@@ -104,8 +120,25 @@
 //!     } = v;
 //!
 //!     // that gives these types:
-//!     let _: SimValue<UInt<8>> = a;
-//!     let _: SimValue<Bool> = b;
-//!     let _: SimValue<T> = c;
+//!     let _: &'a SimValue<UInt<8>> = a;
+//!     let _: &'a SimValue<Bool> = b;
+//!     let _: &'a SimValue<T> = c;
+//! }
+//!
+//! #[hdl]
+//! fn destructure_inner_mut<'a, T: Type>(v: &'a mut <MyStruct<T> as Type>::SimValue) {
+//!     #[hdl(sim)]
+//!     let MyStruct::<T> {
+//!         a,
+//!         b,
+//!         c,
+//!     } = v;
+//!
+//!     **b = true; // you can modify v by modifying b which borrows from it
+//!
+//!     // that gives these types:
+//!     let _: &'a mut SimValue<UInt<8>> = a;
+//!     let _: &'a mut SimValue<Bool> = b;
+//!     let _: &'a mut SimValue<T> = c;
 //! }
 //! ```
diff --git a/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_match_statements.rs b/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_match_statements.rs
index accd3d7..9e2d41d 100644
--- a/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_match_statements.rs
+++ b/crates/fayalite/src/_docs/modules/module_bodies/hdl_match_statements.rs
@@ -72,15 +72,47 @@
 //! }
 //!
 //! #[hdl]
-//! fn match_to_sim_value<'a, T: Type>(v: impl ToSimValue<Type = MyEnum<T>>) {
+//! fn match_inner_move<T: Type>(v: <MyEnum<T> as Type>::SimValue) -> String {
 //!     #[hdl(sim)]
 //!     match v {
-//!         MyEnum::<T>::A => println!("got A"),
-//!         MyEnum::<T>::B(b) => {
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::A => String::from("got A"),
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::B(mut b) => {
 //!             let _: SimValue<Bool> = b; // b has this type
-//!             println!("got B({b})");
+//!             let text = format!("got B({b})");
+//!             *b = true; // can modify b since mut was used
+//!             text
 //!         }
-//!         _ => println!("something else"),
+//!         _ => String::from("something else"),
+//!     }
+//! }
+//!
+//! #[hdl]
+//! fn match_inner_ref<'a, T: Type>(v: &'a <MyEnum<T> as Type>::SimValue) -> u32 {
+//!     #[hdl(sim)]
+//!     match v {
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::A => 1,
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::B(b) => {
+//!             let _: &'a SimValue<Bool> = b; // b has this type
+//!             println!("got B({b})");
+//!             5
+//!         }
+//!         _ => 42,
+//!     }
+//! }
+//!
+//! #[hdl]
+//! fn match_inner_mut<'a, T: Type>(v: &'a mut <MyEnum<T> as Type>::SimValue) -> Option<&'a mut SimValue<T>> {
+//!     #[hdl(sim)]
+//!     match v {
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::A => None,
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::B(b) => {
+//!             println!("got B({b})");
+//!             **b = true; // you can modify v by modifying b which borrows from it
+//!             let _: &'a mut SimValue<Bool> = b; // b has this type
+//!             None
+//!         }
+//!         MyEnum::<T>::C(v) => Some(v), // you can return matched values
+//!         _ => None, // HDL enums can have invalid discriminants, so we need this extra match arm
 //!     }
 //! }
 //! ```
diff --git a/crates/fayalite/src/sim/value.rs b/crates/fayalite/src/sim/value.rs
index a127878..eaa3f8d 100644
--- a/crates/fayalite/src/sim/value.rs
+++ b/crates/fayalite/src/sim/value.rs
@@ -552,113 +552,119 @@ impl_sim_value_cmp_as_bool!(AsyncReset);
 
 #[doc(hidden)]
 pub mod match_sim_value {
-    use crate::{
-        sim::value::{SimValue, ToSimValue},
-        ty::Type,
-    };
+    use crate::{sim::value::SimValue, ty::Type};
+    use std::ops::{Deref, DerefMut};
+
+    macro_rules! wrapper {
+        (
+            $(pub struct $wrapper:ident<$T:ident>($inner:ty);)*
+        ) => {
+            $(#[doc(hidden)]
+            pub struct $wrapper<$T>($inner);
+
+            impl<$T> $wrapper<$T> {
+                #[inline(always)]
+                pub fn new(value: $T) -> Self {
+                    Self(<$inner>::new(value))
+                }
+            }
+
+            impl<$T> Deref for $wrapper<$T> {
+                type Target = $inner;
+
+                #[inline(always)]
+                fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+                    &self.0
+                }
+            }
+
+            impl<$T> DerefMut for $wrapper<$T> {
+                #[inline(always)]
+                fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+                    &mut self.0
+                }
+            })*
+        };
+    }
+
+    wrapper! {
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutSimValue<T>);
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefSimValue<T>);
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefRefSimValue<T>);
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefRefSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefMutSimValue<T>);
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefMutSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutRefSimValue<T>);
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutRefSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutMutSimValue<T>);
+        pub struct MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutMutSimValue<T>(MatchSimValueHelperIdentity<T>);
+    }
+
+    impl<T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckSimValue<SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> T::SimValue {
+            SimValue::into_value(self.take())
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<'a, T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutSimValue<&'a mut SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> &'a mut T::SimValue {
+            self.take()
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<'a, T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefSimValue<&'a SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> &'a T::SimValue {
+            self.take()
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<'a, 'b, T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefRefSimValue<&'a &'b SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> &'b T::SimValue {
+            self.take()
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<'a, 'b, T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckRefMutSimValue<&'a &'b mut SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> &'a T::SimValue {
+            self.take()
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<'a, 'b, T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutRefSimValue<&'a mut &'b SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> &'b T::SimValue {
+            self.take()
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl<'a, 'b, T: Type> MatchSimValueHelperCheckMutMutSimValue<&'a mut &'b mut SimValue<T>> {
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> &'a mut T::SimValue {
+            self.take()
+        }
+    }
 
     #[doc(hidden)]
-    pub struct MatchSimValueHelper<T>(Option<T>);
+    pub struct MatchSimValueHelperIdentity<T>(Option<T>);
 
-    impl<T> MatchSimValueHelper<T> {
-        pub fn new(v: T) -> Self {
+    impl<T> MatchSimValueHelperIdentity<T> {
+        fn new(v: T) -> Self {
             Self(Some(v))
         }
-    }
-
-    #[doc(hidden)]
-    pub trait MatchSimValue {
-        type MatchValue;
-
-        /// use `self` so it comes first in the method resolution order
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue
-        where
-            Self: Sized;
-    }
-
-    impl<T: Type> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<SimValue<T>> {
-        type MatchValue = T::SimValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            SimValue::into_value(self.0.expect("should be Some"))
+        #[inline(always)]
+        fn take(&mut self) -> T {
+            self.0.take().expect("known to be Some")
         }
-    }
-
-    impl<'a, T: Type> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<&'a SimValue<T>> {
-        type MatchValue = &'a T::SimValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            SimValue::value(self.0.expect("should be Some"))
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl<'a, T: Type> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<&'a mut SimValue<T>> {
-        type MatchValue = &'a mut T::SimValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            SimValue::value_mut(self.0.expect("should be Some"))
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl<'a, T> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<&'_ &'a T>
-    where
-        MatchSimValueHelper<&'a T>: MatchSimValue,
-    {
-        type MatchValue = <MatchSimValueHelper<&'a T> as MatchSimValue>::MatchValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            MatchSimValue::__fayalite_match_sim_value(MatchSimValueHelper(self.0.map(|v| *v)))
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl<'a, T> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<&'_ mut &'a T>
-    where
-        MatchSimValueHelper<&'a T>: MatchSimValue,
-    {
-        type MatchValue = <MatchSimValueHelper<&'a T> as MatchSimValue>::MatchValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            MatchSimValue::__fayalite_match_sim_value(MatchSimValueHelper(self.0.map(|v| *v)))
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl<'a, T> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<&'a &'_ mut T>
-    where
-        MatchSimValueHelper<&'a T>: MatchSimValue,
-    {
-        type MatchValue = <MatchSimValueHelper<&'a T> as MatchSimValue>::MatchValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            MatchSimValue::__fayalite_match_sim_value(MatchSimValueHelper(self.0.map(|v| &**v)))
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl<'a, T> MatchSimValue for MatchSimValueHelper<&'a mut &'_ mut T>
-    where
-        MatchSimValueHelper<&'a mut T>: MatchSimValue,
-    {
-        type MatchValue = <MatchSimValueHelper<&'a mut T> as MatchSimValue>::MatchValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            MatchSimValue::__fayalite_match_sim_value(MatchSimValueHelper(self.0.map(|v| &mut **v)))
+        #[inline(always)]
+        pub fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> T {
+            self.take()
         }
     }
 
     #[doc(hidden)]
-    pub trait MatchSimValueFallback {
-        type MatchValue;
-
-        /// use `&mut self` so it comes later in the method resolution order than MatchSimValue
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> Self::MatchValue;
-    }
-
-    impl<T: ToSimValue> MatchSimValueFallback for MatchSimValueHelper<T> {
-        type MatchValue = <T::Type as Type>::SimValue;
-
-        fn __fayalite_match_sim_value(&mut self) -> Self::MatchValue {
-            SimValue::into_value(self.0.take().expect("should be Some").into_sim_value())
-        }
-    }
+    pub type MatchSimValueHelper<T> = MatchSimValueHelperCheckSimValue<T>;
 }
 
 pub trait ToSimValue: ToSimValueWithType<<Self as ValueType>::Type> + ValueType {