diff --git a/proxy/src/logging.rs b/proxy/src/logging.rs
index e608300bd2..a87b0f1175 100644
--- a/proxy/src/logging.rs
+++ b/proxy/src/logging.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use std::{env, io};
 
 use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use opentelemetry::trace::TraceContextExt;
-use serde::ser::{SerializeMap, Serializer};
 use tracing::subscriber::Interest;
 use tracing::{Event, Metadata, Span, Subscriber, callsite, span};
 use tracing_opentelemetry::OpenTelemetrySpanExt;
@@ -16,7 +15,9 @@ use tracing_subscriber::fmt::time::SystemTime;
 use tracing_subscriber::fmt::{FormatEvent, FormatFields};
 use tracing_subscriber::layer::{Context, Layer};
 use tracing_subscriber::prelude::*;
-use tracing_subscriber::registry::{LookupSpan, SpanRef};
+use tracing_subscriber::registry::LookupSpan;
+
+use crate::metrics::Metrics;
 
 /// Initialize logging and OpenTelemetry tracing and exporter.
 ///
@@ -249,7 +250,7 @@ where
         //       early, before OTel machinery, and add as event extension.
         let now = self.clock.now();
 
-        let res: io::Result<()> = EVENT_FORMATTER.with(|f| {
+        EVENT_FORMATTER.with(|f| {
             let mut borrow = f.try_borrow_mut();
             let formatter = match borrow.as_deref_mut() {
                 Ok(formatter) => formatter,
@@ -259,31 +260,19 @@ where
                 Err(_) => &mut EventFormatter::new(),
             };
 
-            formatter.reset();
             formatter.format(
                 now,
                 event,
                 &ctx,
                 &self.skipped_field_indices,
                 self.extract_fields,
-            )?;
-            self.writer.make_writer().write_all(formatter.buffer())
-        });
+            );
 
-        // In case logging fails we generate a simpler JSON object.
-        if let Err(err) = res
-            && let Ok(mut line) = serde_json::to_vec(&serde_json::json!( {
-                "timestamp": now.to_rfc3339_opts(chrono::SecondsFormat::Micros, true),
-                "level": "ERROR",
-                "message": format_args!("cannot log event: {err:?}"),
-                "fields": {
-                    "event": format_args!("{event:?}"),
-                },
-            }))
-        {
-            line.push(b'\n');
-            self.writer.make_writer().write_all(&line).ok();
-        }
+            let mut writer = self.writer.make_writer();
+            if writer.write_all(formatter.buffer()).is_err() {
+                Metrics::get().proxy.logging_errors_count.inc();
+            }
+        });
     }
 
     /// Registers a SpanFields instance as span extension.
@@ -382,9 +371,24 @@ impl CallsiteSpanInfo {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone)]
+struct RawValue(Box<[u8]>);
+
+impl RawValue {
+    fn new(v: impl json::ValueEncoder) -> Self {
+        Self(json::value_to_vec!(|val| v.encode(val)).into_boxed_slice())
+    }
+}
+
+impl json::ValueEncoder for &RawValue {
+    fn encode(self, v: json::ValueSer<'_>) {
+        v.write_raw_json(&self.0);
+    }
+}
+
 /// Stores span field values recorded during the spans lifetime.
 struct SpanFields {
-    values: [serde_json::Value; MAX_TRACING_FIELDS],
+    values: [Option<RawValue>; MAX_TRACING_FIELDS],
 
     /// cached span info so we can avoid extra hashmap lookups in the hot path.
     span_info: CallsiteSpanInfo,
@@ -394,7 +398,7 @@ impl SpanFields {
     fn new(span_info: CallsiteSpanInfo) -> Self {
         Self {
             span_info,
-            values: [const { serde_json::Value::Null }; MAX_TRACING_FIELDS],
+            values: [const { None }; MAX_TRACING_FIELDS],
         }
     }
 }
@@ -402,55 +406,55 @@ impl SpanFields {
 impl tracing::field::Visit for SpanFields {
     #[inline]
     fn record_f64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: f64) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_i64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: i64) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_u64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: u64) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_i128(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: i128) {
         if let Ok(value) = i64::try_from(value) {
-            self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+            self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
         } else {
-            self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(format!("{value}"));
+            self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(format_args!("{value}")));
         }
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_u128(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: u128) {
         if let Ok(value) = u64::try_from(value) {
-            self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+            self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
         } else {
-            self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(format!("{value}"));
+            self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(format_args!("{value}")));
         }
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_bool(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: bool) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_bytes(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &[u8]) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_str(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &str) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(value);
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(value));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_debug(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &dyn std::fmt::Debug) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(format!("{value:?}"));
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(format_args!("{value:?}")));
     }
 
     #[inline]
@@ -459,7 +463,7 @@ impl tracing::field::Visit for SpanFields {
         field: &tracing::field::Field,
         value: &(dyn std::error::Error + 'static),
     ) {
-        self.values[field.index()] = serde_json::Value::from(format!("{value}"));
+        self.values[field.index()] = Some(RawValue::new(format_args!("{value}")));
     }
 }
 
@@ -508,11 +512,6 @@ impl EventFormatter {
         &self.logline_buffer
     }
 
-    #[inline]
-    fn reset(&mut self) {
-        self.logline_buffer.clear();
-    }
-
     fn format<S>(
         &mut self,
         now: DateTime<Utc>,
@@ -520,8 +519,7 @@ impl EventFormatter {
         ctx: &Context<'_, S>,
         skipped_field_indices: &CallsiteMap<SkippedFieldIndices>,
         extract_fields: &'static [&'static str],
-    ) -> io::Result<()>
-    where
+    ) where
         S: Subscriber + for<'a> LookupSpan<'a>,
     {
         let timestamp = now.to_rfc3339_opts(chrono::SecondsFormat::Micros, true);
@@ -536,78 +534,99 @@ impl EventFormatter {
             .copied()
             .unwrap_or_default();
 
-        let mut serialize = || {
-            let mut serializer = serde_json::Serializer::new(&mut self.logline_buffer);
-
-            let mut serializer = serializer.serialize_map(None)?;
-
+        self.logline_buffer.clear();
+        let serializer = json::ValueSer::new(&mut self.logline_buffer);
+        json::value_as_object!(|serializer| {
             // Timestamp comes first, so raw lines can be sorted by timestamp.
-            serializer.serialize_entry("timestamp", &timestamp)?;
+            serializer.entry("timestamp", &*timestamp);
 
             // Level next.
-            serializer.serialize_entry("level", &meta.level().as_str())?;
+            serializer.entry("level", meta.level().as_str());
 
             // Message next.
-            serializer.serialize_key("message")?;
             let mut message_extractor =
-                MessageFieldExtractor::new(serializer, skipped_field_indices);
+                MessageFieldExtractor::new(serializer.key("message"), skipped_field_indices);
             event.record(&mut message_extractor);
-            let mut serializer = message_extractor.into_serializer()?;
+            message_extractor.finish();
 
             // Direct message fields.
-            let mut fields_present = FieldsPresent(false, skipped_field_indices);
-            event.record(&mut fields_present);
-            if fields_present.0 {
-                serializer.serialize_entry(
-                    "fields",
-                    &SerializableEventFields(event, skipped_field_indices),
-                )?;
+            {
+                let mut message_skipper = MessageFieldSkipper::new(
+                    serializer.key("fields").object(),
+                    skipped_field_indices,
+                );
+                event.record(&mut message_skipper);
+
+                // rollback if no fields are present.
+                if message_skipper.present {
+                    message_skipper.serializer.finish();
+                }
             }
 
-            let spans = SerializableSpans {
-                // collect all spans from parent to root.
-                spans: ctx
+            let mut extracted = ExtractedSpanFields::new(extract_fields);
+
+            let spans = serializer.key("spans");
+            json::value_as_object!(|spans| {
+                let parent_spans = ctx
                     .event_span(event)
-                    .map_or(vec![], |parent| parent.scope().collect()),
-                extracted: ExtractedSpanFields::new(extract_fields),
-            };
-            serializer.serialize_entry("spans", &spans)?;
+                    .map_or(vec![], |parent| parent.scope().collect());
+
+                for span in parent_spans.iter().rev() {
+                    let ext = span.extensions();
+
+                    // all spans should have this extension.
+                    let Some(fields) = ext.get() else { continue };
+
+                    extracted.layer_span(fields);
+
+                    let SpanFields { values, span_info } = fields;
+
+                    let span_fields = spans.key(&*span_info.normalized_name);
+                    json::value_as_object!(|span_fields| {
+                        for (field, value) in std::iter::zip(span.metadata().fields(), values) {
+                            if let Some(value) = value {
+                                span_fields.entry(field.name(), value);
+                            }
+                        }
+                    });
+                }
+            });
 
             // TODO: thread-local cache?
             let pid = std::process::id();
             // Skip adding pid 1 to reduce noise for services running in containers.
             if pid != 1 {
-                serializer.serialize_entry("process_id", &pid)?;
+                serializer.entry("process_id", pid);
             }
 
-            THREAD_ID.with(|tid| serializer.serialize_entry("thread_id", tid))?;
+            THREAD_ID.with(|tid| serializer.entry("thread_id", tid));
 
             // TODO: tls cache? name could change
             if let Some(thread_name) = std::thread::current().name()
                 && !thread_name.is_empty()
                 && thread_name != "tokio-runtime-worker"
             {
-                serializer.serialize_entry("thread_name", thread_name)?;
+                serializer.entry("thread_name", thread_name);
             }
 
             if let Some(task_id) = tokio::task::try_id() {
-                serializer.serialize_entry("task_id", &format_args!("{task_id}"))?;
+                serializer.entry("task_id", format_args!("{task_id}"));
             }
 
-            serializer.serialize_entry("target", meta.target())?;
+            serializer.entry("target", meta.target());
 
             // Skip adding module if it's the same as target.
             if let Some(module) = meta.module_path()
                 && module != meta.target()
             {
-                serializer.serialize_entry("module", module)?;
+                serializer.entry("module", module);
             }
 
             if let Some(file) = meta.file() {
                 if let Some(line) = meta.line() {
-                    serializer.serialize_entry("src", &format_args!("{file}:{line}"))?;
+                    serializer.entry("src", format_args!("{file}:{line}"));
                 } else {
-                    serializer.serialize_entry("src", file)?;
+                    serializer.entry("src", file);
                 }
             }
 
@@ -616,124 +635,104 @@ impl EventFormatter {
                 let otel_spanref = otel_context.span();
                 let span_context = otel_spanref.span_context();
                 if span_context.is_valid() {
-                    serializer.serialize_entry(
-                        "trace_id",
-                        &format_args!("{}", span_context.trace_id()),
-                    )?;
+                    serializer.entry("trace_id", format_args!("{}", span_context.trace_id()));
                 }
             }
 
-            if spans.extracted.has_values() {
+            if extracted.has_values() {
                 // TODO: add fields from event, too?
-                serializer.serialize_entry("extract", &spans.extracted)?;
+                let extract = serializer.key("extract");
+                json::value_as_object!(|extract| {
+                    for (key, value) in std::iter::zip(extracted.names, extracted.values) {
+                        if let Some(value) = value {
+                            extract.entry(*key, &value);
+                        }
+                    }
+                });
             }
+        });
 
-            serializer.end()
-        };
-
-        serialize().map_err(io::Error::other)?;
         self.logline_buffer.push(b'\n');
-        Ok(())
     }
 }
 
 /// Extracts the message field that's mixed will other fields.
-struct MessageFieldExtractor<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> {
-    serializer: S,
+struct MessageFieldExtractor<'buf> {
+    serializer: Option<json::ValueSer<'buf>>,
     skipped_field_indices: SkippedFieldIndices,
-    state: Option<Result<(), S::Error>>,
 }
 
-impl<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> MessageFieldExtractor<S> {
+impl<'buf> MessageFieldExtractor<'buf> {
     #[inline]
-    fn new(serializer: S, skipped_field_indices: SkippedFieldIndices) -> Self {
+    fn new(serializer: json::ValueSer<'buf>, skipped_field_indices: SkippedFieldIndices) -> Self {
         Self {
-            serializer,
+            serializer: Some(serializer),
             skipped_field_indices,
-            state: None,
         }
     }
 
     #[inline]
-    fn into_serializer(mut self) -> Result<S, S::Error> {
-        match self.state {
-            Some(Ok(())) => {}
-            Some(Err(err)) => return Err(err),
-            None => self.serializer.serialize_value("")?,
+    fn finish(self) {
+        if let Some(ser) = self.serializer {
+            ser.value("");
         }
-        Ok(self.serializer)
     }
 
     #[inline]
-    fn accept_field(&self, field: &tracing::field::Field) -> bool {
-        self.state.is_none()
-            && field.name() == MESSAGE_FIELD
+    fn record_field(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, v: impl json::ValueEncoder) {
+        if field.name() == MESSAGE_FIELD
             && !self.skipped_field_indices.contains(field.index())
+            && let Some(ser) = self.serializer.take()
+        {
+            ser.value(v);
+        }
     }
 }
 
-impl<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> tracing::field::Visit for MessageFieldExtractor<S> {
+impl tracing::field::Visit for MessageFieldExtractor<'_> {
     #[inline]
     fn record_f64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: f64) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_i64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: i64) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_u64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: u64) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_i128(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: i128) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_u128(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: u128) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_bool(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: bool) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_bytes(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &[u8]) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&format_args!("{value:x?}")));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, format_args!("{value:x?}"));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_str(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &str) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&value));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_debug(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &dyn std::fmt::Debug) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&format_args!("{value:?}")));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, format_args!("{value:?}"));
     }
 
     #[inline]
@@ -742,147 +741,83 @@ impl<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> tracing::field::Visit for MessageFieldExtracto
         field: &tracing::field::Field,
         value: &(dyn std::error::Error + 'static),
     ) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = Some(self.serializer.serialize_value(&format_args!("{value}")));
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// Checks if there's any fields and field values present. If not, the JSON subobject
-/// can be skipped.
-// This is entirely optional and only cosmetic, though maybe helps a
-// bit during log parsing in dashboards when there's no field with empty object.
-struct FieldsPresent(pub bool, SkippedFieldIndices);
-
-// Even though some methods have an overhead (error, bytes) it is assumed the
-// compiler won't include this since we ignore the value entirely.
-impl tracing::field::Visit for FieldsPresent {
-    #[inline]
-    fn record_debug(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, _: &dyn std::fmt::Debug) {
-        if !self.1.contains(field.index())
-            && field.name() != MESSAGE_FIELD
-            && !field.name().starts_with("log.")
-        {
-            self.0 |= true;
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// Serializes the fields directly supplied with a log event.
-struct SerializableEventFields<'a, 'event>(&'a tracing::Event<'event>, SkippedFieldIndices);
-
-impl serde::ser::Serialize for SerializableEventFields<'_, '_> {
-    fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
-    where
-        S: Serializer,
-    {
-        use serde::ser::SerializeMap;
-        let serializer = serializer.serialize_map(None)?;
-        let mut message_skipper = MessageFieldSkipper::new(serializer, self.1);
-        self.0.record(&mut message_skipper);
-        let serializer = message_skipper.into_serializer()?;
-        serializer.end()
+        self.record_field(field, format_args!("{value}"));
     }
 }
 
 /// A tracing field visitor that skips the message field.
-struct MessageFieldSkipper<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> {
-    serializer: S,
+struct MessageFieldSkipper<'buf> {
+    serializer: json::ObjectSer<'buf>,
     skipped_field_indices: SkippedFieldIndices,
-    state: Result<(), S::Error>,
+    present: bool,
 }
 
-impl<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> MessageFieldSkipper<S> {
+impl<'buf> MessageFieldSkipper<'buf> {
     #[inline]
-    fn new(serializer: S, skipped_field_indices: SkippedFieldIndices) -> Self {
+    fn new(serializer: json::ObjectSer<'buf>, skipped_field_indices: SkippedFieldIndices) -> Self {
         Self {
             serializer,
             skipped_field_indices,
-            state: Ok(()),
+            present: false,
         }
     }
 
     #[inline]
-    fn accept_field(&self, field: &tracing::field::Field) -> bool {
-        self.state.is_ok()
-            && field.name() != MESSAGE_FIELD
+    fn record_field(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, v: impl json::ValueEncoder) {
+        if field.name() != MESSAGE_FIELD
             && !field.name().starts_with("log.")
             && !self.skipped_field_indices.contains(field.index())
-    }
-
-    #[inline]
-    fn into_serializer(self) -> Result<S, S::Error> {
-        self.state?;
-        Ok(self.serializer)
+        {
+            self.serializer.entry(field.name(), v);
+            self.present |= true;
+        }
     }
 }
 
-impl<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> tracing::field::Visit for MessageFieldSkipper<S> {
+impl tracing::field::Visit for MessageFieldSkipper<'_> {
     #[inline]
     fn record_f64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: f64) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_i64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: i64) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_u64(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: u64) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_i128(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: i128) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_u128(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: u128) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_bool(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: bool) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_bytes(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &[u8]) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self
-                .serializer
-                .serialize_entry(field.name(), &format_args!("{value:x?}"));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, format_args!("{value:x?}"));
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_str(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &str) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), &value);
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, value);
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn record_debug(&mut self, field: &tracing::field::Field, value: &dyn std::fmt::Debug) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self
-                .serializer
-                .serialize_entry(field.name(), &format_args!("{value:?}"));
-        }
+        self.record_field(field, format_args!("{value:?}"));
     }
 
     #[inline]
@@ -891,131 +826,40 @@ impl<S: serde::ser::SerializeMap> tracing::field::Visit for MessageFieldSkipper<
         field: &tracing::field::Field,
         value: &(dyn std::error::Error + 'static),
     ) {
-        if self.accept_field(field) {
-            self.state = self.serializer.serialize_value(&format_args!("{value}"));
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// Serializes the span stack from root to leaf (parent of event) as object
-/// with the span names as keys. To prevent collision we append a numberic value
-/// to the name. Also, collects any span fields we're interested in. Last one
-/// wins.
-struct SerializableSpans<'ctx, S>
-where
-    S: for<'lookup> LookupSpan<'lookup>,
-{
-    spans: Vec<SpanRef<'ctx, S>>,
-    extracted: ExtractedSpanFields,
-}
-
-impl<S> serde::ser::Serialize for SerializableSpans<'_, S>
-where
-    S: for<'lookup> LookupSpan<'lookup>,
-{
-    fn serialize<Ser>(&self, serializer: Ser) -> Result<Ser::Ok, Ser::Error>
-    where
-        Ser: serde::ser::Serializer,
-    {
-        let mut serializer = serializer.serialize_map(None)?;
-
-        for span in self.spans.iter().rev() {
-            let ext = span.extensions();
-
-            // all spans should have this extension.
-            let Some(fields) = ext.get() else { continue };
-
-            self.extracted.layer_span(fields);
-
-            let SpanFields { values, span_info } = fields;
-            serializer.serialize_entry(
-                &*span_info.normalized_name,
-                &SerializableSpanFields {
-                    fields: span.metadata().fields(),
-                    values,
-                },
-            )?;
-        }
-
-        serializer.end()
-    }
-}
-
-/// Serializes the span fields as object.
-struct SerializableSpanFields<'span> {
-    fields: &'span tracing::field::FieldSet,
-    values: &'span [serde_json::Value; MAX_TRACING_FIELDS],
-}
-
-impl serde::ser::Serialize for SerializableSpanFields<'_> {
-    fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
-    where
-        S: serde::ser::Serializer,
-    {
-        let mut serializer = serializer.serialize_map(None)?;
-
-        for (field, value) in std::iter::zip(self.fields, self.values) {
-            if value.is_null() {
-                continue;
-            }
-            serializer.serialize_entry(field.name(), value)?;
-        }
-
-        serializer.end()
+        self.record_field(field, format_args!("{value}"));
     }
 }
 
 struct ExtractedSpanFields {
     names: &'static [&'static str],
-    values: RefCell<Vec<serde_json::Value>>,
+    values: Vec<Option<RawValue>>,
 }
 
 impl ExtractedSpanFields {
     fn new(names: &'static [&'static str]) -> Self {
         ExtractedSpanFields {
             names,
-            values: RefCell::new(vec![serde_json::Value::Null; names.len()]),
+            values: vec![None; names.len()],
         }
     }
 
-    fn layer_span(&self, fields: &SpanFields) {
-        let mut v = self.values.borrow_mut();
+    fn layer_span(&mut self, fields: &SpanFields) {
         let SpanFields { values, span_info } = fields;
 
         // extract the fields
         for (i, &j) in span_info.extract.iter().enumerate() {
-            let Some(value) = values.get(j) else { continue };
+            let Some(Some(value)) = values.get(j) else {
+                continue;
+            };
 
-            if !value.is_null() {
-                // TODO: replace clone with reference, if possible.
-                v[i] = value.clone();
-            }
+            // TODO: replace clone with reference, if possible.
+            self.values[i] = Some(value.clone());
         }
     }
 
     #[inline]
     fn has_values(&self) -> bool {
-        self.values.borrow().iter().any(|v| !v.is_null())
-    }
-}
-
-impl serde::ser::Serialize for ExtractedSpanFields {
-    fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
-    where
-        S: serde::ser::Serializer,
-    {
-        let mut serializer = serializer.serialize_map(None)?;
-
-        let values = self.values.borrow();
-        for (key, value) in std::iter::zip(self.names, &*values) {
-            if value.is_null() {
-                continue;
-            }
-
-            serializer.serialize_entry(key, value)?;
-        }
-
-        serializer.end()
+        self.values.iter().any(|v| v.is_some())
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/proxy/src/metrics.rs b/proxy/src/metrics.rs
index bf4d5a11eb..916604e2ec 100644
--- a/proxy/src/metrics.rs
+++ b/proxy/src/metrics.rs
@@ -112,6 +112,9 @@ pub struct ProxyMetrics {
     /// Number of bytes sent/received between all clients and backends.
     pub io_bytes: CounterVec<StaticLabelSet<Direction>>,
 
+    /// Number of IO errors while logging.
+    pub logging_errors_count: Counter,
+
     /// Number of errors by a given classification.
     pub errors_total: CounterVec<StaticLabelSet<crate::error::ErrorKind>>,