Boost multi_index solves both of these problems. To simulate multiple lists you can simply add more than one sequenced index to the container type. The sequence

Boost multi_index solves both of these problems. To simulate multiple lists you can simply add more than one sequenced index to the container type. The sequenced index interface provides an iterator_to() method which takes a reference and returns an iterator, and the container interface allows you to project one index to another. It's incredibly powerful. http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_58_0/libs/multi_index/doc/reference/seq_indices.html http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_58_0/libs/multi_index/doc/re... As a bonus the ownership semantics are clear and memory management remains trivial. Intrusive lists are useful, i'll grant you, but they'll always be a last resort for me. Especially if you're implementing them yourself.