diff --git a/archiver.go b/archiver.go
index f525eef11..dfe91b79b 100644
--- a/archiver.go
+++ b/archiver.go
@@ -417,7 +417,10 @@ func (arch *Archiver) saveTree(p *Progress, t *Tree) (Blob, error) {
 }
 
 func (arch *Archiver) fileWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan struct{}, entCh <-chan pipe.Entry) {
-	defer wg.Done()
+	defer func() {
+		debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "done")
+		wg.Done()
+	}()
 	for {
 		select {
 		case e, ok := <-entCh:
@@ -426,19 +429,51 @@ func (arch *Archiver) fileWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan st
 				return
 			}
 
-			node, err := NodeFromFileInfo(e.Path, e.Info)
+			debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "got job %v", e)
+
+			node, err := NodeFromFileInfo(e.Fullpath(), e.Info())
 			if err != nil {
 				panic(err)
 			}
 
-			if node.Type == "file" {
+			// try to use old node, if present
+			if e.Node != nil {
+				debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "   %v use old data", e.Path())
+
+				oldNode := e.Node.(*Node)
+				// check if all content is still available in the repository
+				contentMissing := false
+				for _, blob := range oldNode.blobs {
+					if ok, err := arch.s.Test(backend.Data, blob.Storage); !ok || err != nil {
+						debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "   %v not using old data, %v (%v) is missing", e.Path(), blob.ID.Str(), blob.Storage.Str())
+						contentMissing = true
+						break
+					}
+				}
+
+				if !contentMissing {
+					node.Content = oldNode.Content
+					node.blobs = oldNode.blobs
+					debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "   %v content is complete", e.Path())
+				}
+			} else {
+				debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "   %v no old data", e.Path())
+			}
+
+			// otherwise read file normally
+			if node.Type == "file" && len(node.Content) == 0 {
+				debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "   read and save %v, content: %v", e.Path(), node.Content)
 				node.blobs, err = arch.SaveFile(p, node)
 				if err != nil {
 					panic(err)
 				}
+			} else {
+				// report old data size
+				p.Report(Stat{Bytes: node.Size})
 			}
 
-			e.Result <- node
+			debug.Log("Archiver.fileWorker", "   processed %v, %d/%d blobs", e.Path(), len(node.Content), len(node.blobs))
+			e.Result() <- node
 			p.Report(Stat{Files: 1})
 		case <-done:
 			// pipeline was cancelled
@@ -448,7 +483,10 @@ func (arch *Archiver) fileWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan st
 }
 
 func (arch *Archiver) dirWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan struct{}, dirCh <-chan pipe.Dir) {
-	defer wg.Done()
+	defer func() {
+		debug.Log("Archiver.dirWorker", "done")
+		wg.Done()
+	}()
 	for {
 		select {
 		case dir, ok := <-dirCh:
@@ -456,7 +494,7 @@ func (arch *Archiver) dirWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan str
 				// channel is closed
 				return
 			}
-			debug.Log("Archiver.DirWorker", "save dir %v\n", dir.Path)
+			debug.Log("Archiver.dirWorker", "save dir %v\n", dir.Path())
 
 			tree := NewTree()
 
@@ -466,7 +504,7 @@ func (arch *Archiver) dirWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan str
 				tree.Insert(node)
 
 				if node.Type == "dir" {
-					debug.Log("Archiver.DirWorker", "got tree node for %s: %v", node.path, node.blobs)
+					debug.Log("Archiver.dirWorker", "got tree node for %s: %v", node.path, node.blobs)
 				}
 
 				for _, blob := range node.blobs {
@@ -475,10 +513,10 @@ func (arch *Archiver) dirWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan str
 				}
 			}
 
-			node, err := NodeFromFileInfo(dir.Path, dir.Info)
+			node, err := NodeFromFileInfo(dir.Path(), dir.Info())
 			if err != nil {
 				node.Error = err.Error()
-				dir.Result <- node
+				dir.Result() <- node
 				continue
 			}
 
@@ -486,12 +524,12 @@ func (arch *Archiver) dirWorker(wg *sync.WaitGroup, p *Progress, done <-chan str
 			if err != nil {
 				panic(err)
 			}
-			debug.Log("Archiver.DirWorker", "save tree for %s: %v", dir.Path, blob)
+			debug.Log("Archiver.dirWorker", "save tree for %s: %v", dir.Path(), blob)
 
 			node.Subtree = blob.ID
 			node.blobs = Blobs{blob}
 
-			dir.Result <- node
+			dir.Result() <- node
 			p.Report(Stat{Dirs: 1})
 		case <-done:
 			// pipeline was cancelled
@@ -526,51 +564,225 @@ func compareWithOldTree(newCh <-chan interface{}, oldCh <-chan WalkTreeJob, outC
 	}
 }
 
-func (arch *Archiver) Snapshot(p *Progress, paths []string, parentSnapshot backend.ID) (*Snapshot, backend.ID, error) {
+type ArchivePipe struct {
+	Old <-chan WalkTreeJob
+	New <-chan pipe.Job
+}
+
+func copyJobs(done <-chan struct{}, in <-chan pipe.Job, out chan<- pipe.Job) {
+	i := in
+	o := out
+
+	o = nil
+
+	var (
+		j  pipe.Job
+		ok bool
+	)
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-done:
+			return
+		case j, ok = <-i:
+			if !ok {
+				// in ch closed, we're done
+				debug.Log("copyJobs", "in channel closed, we're done")
+				return
+			}
+			i = nil
+			o = out
+		case o <- j:
+			o = nil
+			i = in
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+type archiveJob struct {
+	hasOld bool
+	old    WalkTreeJob
+	new    pipe.Job
+}
+
+func (a *ArchivePipe) compare(done <-chan struct{}, out chan<- pipe.Job) {
+	defer func() {
+		close(out)
+		debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "done")
+	}()
+
+	debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "start")
+	var (
+		loadOld, loadNew bool = true, true
+		ok               bool
+		oldJob           WalkTreeJob
+		newJob           pipe.Job
+	)
+
+	for {
+		if loadOld {
+			oldJob, ok = <-a.Old
+			// if the old channel is closed, just pass through the new jobs
+			if !ok {
+				debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "old channel is closed, copy from new channel")
+
+				// handle remaining newJob
+				if !loadNew {
+					out <- archiveJob{new: newJob}.Copy()
+				}
+
+				copyJobs(done, a.New, out)
+				return
+			}
+
+			loadOld = false
+		}
+
+		if loadNew {
+			newJob, ok = <-a.New
+			// if the new channel is closed, there are no more files in the current snapshot, return
+			if !ok {
+				debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "new channel is closed, we're done")
+				return
+			}
+
+			loadNew = false
+		}
+
+		debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "old job: %v", oldJob.Path)
+		debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "new job: %v", newJob.Path())
+
+		// at this point we have received an old job as well as a new job, compare paths
+		file1 := oldJob.Path
+		file2 := newJob.Path()
+
+		dir1 := filepath.Dir(file1)
+		dir2 := filepath.Dir(file2)
+
+		if file1 == file2 {
+			debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "    same filename %q", file1)
+
+			// send job
+			out <- archiveJob{hasOld: true, old: oldJob, new: newJob}.Copy()
+			loadOld = true
+			loadNew = true
+			continue
+		} else if dir1 < dir2 {
+			debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "    %q < %q, file %q added", dir1, dir2, file2)
+			// file is new, send new job and load new
+			loadNew = true
+			out <- archiveJob{new: newJob}.Copy()
+			continue
+		} else if dir1 == dir2 && file1 < file2 {
+			debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "    %q < %q, file %q removed", file1, file2, file1)
+			// file has been removed, load new old
+			loadOld = true
+			continue
+		}
+
+		debug.Log("ArchivePipe.compare", "    %q > %q, file %q removed", file1, file2, file1)
+		// file has been removed, throw away old job and load new
+		loadOld = true
+	}
+}
+
+func (j archiveJob) Copy() pipe.Job {
+	if !j.hasOld {
+		return j.new
+	}
+
+	// handle files
+	if isFile(j.new.Info()) {
+		debug.Log("archiveJob.Copy", "   job %v is file", j.new.Path())
+
+		// if type has changed, return new job directly
+		if j.old.Node == nil {
+			return j.new
+		}
+
+		// if file is newer, return the new job
+		if j.old.Node.isNewer(j.new.Fullpath(), j.new.Info()) {
+			debug.Log("archiveJob.Copy", "   job %v is newer", j.new.Path())
+			return j.new
+		}
+
+		debug.Log("archiveJob.Copy", "   job %v add old data", j.new.Path())
+		// otherwise annotate job with old data
+		e := j.new.(pipe.Entry)
+		e.Node = j.old.Node
+		return e
+	}
+
+	// dirs and other types are just returned
+	return j.new
+}
+
+func (arch *Archiver) Snapshot(p *Progress, paths []string, pid backend.ID) (*Snapshot, backend.ID, error) {
 	debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "start for %v", paths)
 
 	debug.Break("Archiver.Snapshot")
 	sort.Strings(paths)
 
+	// signal the whole pipeline to stop
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	var err error
+
 	p.Start()
 	defer p.Done()
 
+	// create new snapshot
 	sn, err := NewSnapshot(paths)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	// load parent snapshot
-	// var oldRoot backend.ID
-	// if parentSnapshot != nil {
-	// 	sn.Parent = parentSnapshot
-	// 	parentSn, err := LoadSnapshot(arch.s, parentSnapshot)
-	// 	if err != nil {
-	// 		return nil, nil, err
-	// 	}
-	// 	oldRoot = parentSn.Tree.Storage
-	// }
+	jobs := ArchivePipe{}
 
-	// signal the whole pipeline to stop
-	done := make(chan struct{})
+	// use parent snapshot (if some was given)
+	if pid != nil {
+		sn.Parent = pid
 
-	// if we have an old root, start walker and comparer
-	// oldTreeCh := make(chan WalkTreeJob)
-	// if oldRoot != nil {
-	// 	// start walking the old tree
-	// 	debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "start comparer for old root %v", oldRoot.Str())
-	// 	go WalkTree(arch.s, oldRoot, done, oldTreeCh)
-	// }
+		// load parent snapshot
+		parent, err := LoadSnapshot(arch.s, pid)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+
+		// start walker on old tree
+		ch := make(chan WalkTreeJob)
+		go WalkTree(arch.s, parent.Tree.Storage, done, ch)
+		jobs.Old = ch
+	} else {
+		// use closed channel
+		ch := make(chan WalkTreeJob)
+		close(ch)
+		jobs.Old = ch
+	}
+
+	// start walker
+	pipeCh := make(chan pipe.Job)
+	resCh := make(chan pipe.Result, 1)
+	go func() {
+		err := pipe.Walk(paths, done, pipeCh, resCh)
+		if err != nil {
+			debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "pipe.Walk returned error %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "pipe.Walk done")
+	}()
+	jobs.New = pipeCh
+
+	ch := make(chan pipe.Job)
+	go jobs.compare(done, ch)
 
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	entCh := make(chan pipe.Entry)
 	dirCh := make(chan pipe.Dir)
-	jobsCh := make(chan interface{})
 
 	// split
 	wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
-		pipe.Split(jobsCh, dirCh, entCh)
+		pipe.Split(ch, dirCh, entCh)
+		debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "split done")
 		close(dirCh)
 		close(entCh)
 		wg.Done()
@@ -583,15 +795,6 @@ func (arch *Archiver) Snapshot(p *Progress, paths []string, parentSnapshot backe
 		go arch.dirWorker(&wg, p, done, dirCh)
 	}
 
-	// start walker
-	resCh, err := pipe.Walk(paths, done, jobsCh)
-	if err != nil {
-		close(done)
-
-		debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "pipe.Walke returned error %v", err)
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
-
 	// wait for all workers to terminate
 	debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "wait for workers")
 	wg.Wait()
@@ -604,10 +807,11 @@ func (arch *Archiver) Snapshot(p *Progress, paths []string, parentSnapshot backe
 	for i := 0; i < len(paths); i++ {
 		node := (<-root.Entries[i]).(*Node)
 
-		debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "got toplevel node %v", node)
+		debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "got toplevel node %v, %d/%d blobs", node, len(node.Content), len(node.blobs))
 
 		tree.Insert(node)
 		for _, blob := range node.blobs {
+			debug.Log("Archiver.Snapshot", "  add toplevel blob %v", blob)
 			blob = arch.m.Insert(blob)
 			tree.Map.Insert(blob)
 		}
@@ -630,6 +834,10 @@ func (arch *Archiver) Snapshot(p *Progress, paths []string, parentSnapshot backe
 }
 
 func isFile(fi os.FileInfo) bool {
+	if fi == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+
 	return fi.Mode()&(os.ModeType|os.ModeCharDevice) == 0
 }
 
diff --git a/archiver_int_test.go b/archiver_int_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dbaaa1311
--- /dev/null
+++ b/archiver_int_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+package restic
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/restic/restic/pipe"
+)
+
+var treeJobs = []string{
+	"foo/baz/subdir",
+	"foo/bar",
+	"foo",
+	"quu/foo/file1",
+	"quu/foo/file2",
+	"quu/foo/file3",
+	"quu/foo",
+	"quu/fooz",
+	"quu",
+	"yy/a",
+	"yy/b",
+	"yy",
+}
+
+var pipeJobs = []string{
+	"foo/baz/subdir",
+	"foo/baz/subdir2", // subdir2 added
+	"foo/bar",
+	"foo",
+	"quu/foo/file1", // file2 removed
+	"quu/foo/file3",
+	"quu/foo",
+	"quu",
+	"quv/file1", // files added and removed
+	"quv/file2",
+	"quv",
+	"zz/file1", // new files removed and added at the end
+	"zz/file2",
+	"zz",
+}
+
+var resultJobs = []struct {
+	path   string
+	hasOld bool
+}{
+	{"foo/baz/subdir", true},
+	{"foo/baz/subdir2", false},
+	{"foo/bar", true},
+	{"foo", true},
+	{"quu/foo/file1", true},
+	{"quu/foo/file3", true},
+	{"quu/foo", true},
+	{"quu", true},
+	{"quv/file1", false},
+	{"quv/file2", false},
+	{"quv", false},
+	{"zz/file1", false},
+	{"zz/file2", false},
+	{"zz", false},
+}
+
+type testPipeJob struct {
+	path string
+	err  error
+	fi   os.FileInfo
+	res  chan<- pipe.Result
+}
+
+func (j testPipeJob) Path() string               { return j.path }
+func (j testPipeJob) Fullpath() string           { return j.path }
+func (j testPipeJob) Error() error               { return j.err }
+func (j testPipeJob) Info() os.FileInfo          { return j.fi }
+func (j testPipeJob) Result() chan<- pipe.Result { return j.res }
+
+func testTreeWalker(done <-chan struct{}, out chan<- WalkTreeJob) {
+	for _, e := range treeJobs {
+		select {
+		case <-done:
+			return
+		case out <- WalkTreeJob{Path: e}:
+		}
+	}
+
+	close(out)
+}
+
+func testPipeWalker(done <-chan struct{}, out chan<- pipe.Job) {
+	for _, e := range pipeJobs {
+		select {
+		case <-done:
+			return
+		case out <- testPipeJob{path: e}:
+		}
+	}
+
+	close(out)
+}
+
+func TestArchivePipe(t *testing.T) {
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+
+	treeCh := make(chan WalkTreeJob)
+	pipeCh := make(chan pipe.Job)
+
+	go testTreeWalker(done, treeCh)
+	go testPipeWalker(done, pipeCh)
+
+	p := ArchivePipe{Old: treeCh, New: pipeCh}
+
+	ch := make(chan pipe.Job)
+
+	go p.compare(done, ch)
+
+	i := 0
+	for job := range ch {
+		if job.Path() != resultJobs[i].path {
+			t.Fatalf("wrong job received: wanted %v, got %v", resultJobs[i], job)
+		}
+		i++
+	}
+}
diff --git a/map.go b/map.go
index 080e46f25..7c1dc4872 100644
--- a/map.go
+++ b/map.go
@@ -140,6 +140,24 @@ func (bl *Map) Equals(other *Map) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+// Select returns a list of of blobs from the plaintext IDs given in list.
+func (bl *Map) Select(list backend.IDs) (Blobs, error) {
+	bl.m.Lock()
+	defer bl.m.Unlock()
+
+	blobs := make(Blobs, 0, len(list))
+	for _, id := range list {
+		_, blob, err := bl.find(Blob{ID: id}, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		blobs = append(blobs, blob)
+	}
+
+	return blobs, nil
+}
+
 // Len returns the number of blobs in the map.
 func (bl *Map) Len() int {
 	bl.m.Lock()
diff --git a/node.go b/node.go
index ba787550b..b49554835 100644
--- a/node.go
+++ b/node.go
@@ -64,28 +64,36 @@ func NodeFromFileInfo(path string, fi os.FileInfo) (*Node, error) {
 	node.Mode = fi.Mode() & os.ModePerm
 	node.ModTime = fi.ModTime()
 
-	switch fi.Mode() & (os.ModeType | os.ModeCharDevice) {
-	case 0:
-		node.Type = "file"
+	node.Type = nodeTypeFromFileInfo(path, fi)
+	if node.Type == "file" {
 		node.Size = uint64(fi.Size())
-	case os.ModeDir:
-		node.Type = "dir"
-	case os.ModeSymlink:
-		node.Type = "symlink"
-	case os.ModeDevice | os.ModeCharDevice:
-		node.Type = "chardev"
-	case os.ModeDevice:
-		node.Type = "dev"
-	case os.ModeNamedPipe:
-		node.Type = "fifo"
-	case os.ModeSocket:
-		node.Type = "socket"
 	}
 
 	err := node.fill_extra(path, fi)
 	return node, err
 }
 
+func nodeTypeFromFileInfo(path string, fi os.FileInfo) string {
+	switch fi.Mode() & (os.ModeType | os.ModeCharDevice) {
+	case 0:
+		return "file"
+	case os.ModeDir:
+		return "dir"
+	case os.ModeSymlink:
+		return "symlink"
+	case os.ModeDevice | os.ModeCharDevice:
+		return "chardev"
+	case os.ModeDevice:
+		return "dev"
+	case os.ModeNamedPipe:
+		return "fifo"
+	case os.ModeSocket:
+		return "socket"
+	}
+
+	return ""
+}
+
 func CreateNodeAt(node *Node, m *Map, s Server, path string) error {
 	switch node.Type {
 	case "dir":
diff --git a/node_linux.go b/node_linux.go
index fb6fe21c2..3ec6653df 100644
--- a/node_linux.go
+++ b/node_linux.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
+
+	"github.com/restic/restic/debug"
 )
 
 func (node *Node) fill_extra(path string, fi os.FileInfo) (err error) {
@@ -66,3 +68,38 @@ func (node *Node) createCharDevAt(path string) error {
 func (node *Node) createFifoAt(path string) error {
 	return syscall.Mkfifo(path, 0600)
 }
+
+func (node *Node) isNewer(path string, fi os.FileInfo) bool {
+	// if this node has a type other than "file", treat as if content has changed
+	if node.Type != "file" {
+		debug.Log("node.isNewer", "node %v is newer: not file", path)
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// if the name or type has changed, this is surely something different
+	tpe := nodeTypeFromFileInfo(path, fi)
+	if node.Name != fi.Name() || node.Type != tpe {
+		debug.Log("node.isNewer", "node %v is newer: name or type changed", path)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	// collect extended stat
+	stat := fi.Sys().(*syscall.Stat_t)
+
+	changeTime := time.Unix(stat.Ctim.Unix())
+	inode := stat.Ino
+	size := uint64(stat.Size)
+
+	// if timestamps or inodes differ, content has changed
+	if node.ModTime != fi.ModTime() ||
+		node.ChangeTime != changeTime ||
+		node.Inode != inode ||
+		node.Size != size {
+		debug.Log("node.isNewer", "node %v is newer: timestamp or inode changed", path)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	// otherwise the node is assumed to have the same content
+	debug.Log("node.isNewer", "node %v is not newer", path)
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/pipe/pipe.go b/pipe/pipe.go
index c3534b7bf..a8a96d0e1 100644
--- a/pipe/pipe.go
+++ b/pipe/pipe.go
@@ -10,22 +10,51 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic/debug"
 )
 
-type Entry struct {
-	Path   string
-	Info   os.FileInfo
-	Error  error
-	Result chan<- interface{}
+type Result interface{}
+
+type Job interface {
+	Path() string
+	Fullpath() string
+	Error() error
+	Info() os.FileInfo
+
+	Result() chan<- Result
 }
 
+type Entry struct {
+	basedir string
+	path    string
+	info    os.FileInfo
+	error   error
+	result  chan<- Result
+
+	// points to the old node if available, interface{} is used to prevent
+	// circular import
+	Node interface{}
+}
+
+func (e Entry) Path() string          { return e.path }
+func (e Entry) Fullpath() string      { return filepath.Join(e.basedir, e.path) }
+func (e Entry) Error() error          { return e.error }
+func (e Entry) Info() os.FileInfo     { return e.info }
+func (e Entry) Result() chan<- Result { return e.result }
+
 type Dir struct {
-	Path  string
-	Error error
-	Info  os.FileInfo
+	basedir string
+	path    string
+	error   error
+	info    os.FileInfo
 
-	Entries [](<-chan interface{})
-	Result  chan<- interface{}
+	Entries [](<-chan Result)
+	result  chan<- Result
 }
 
+func (e Dir) Path() string          { return e.path }
+func (e Dir) Fullpath() string      { return filepath.Join(e.basedir, e.path) }
+func (e Dir) Error() error          { return e.error }
+func (e Dir) Info() os.FileInfo     { return e.info }
+func (e Dir) Result() chan<- Result { return e.result }
+
 // readDirNames reads the directory named by dirname and returns
 // a sorted list of directory entries.
 // taken from filepath/path.go
@@ -53,15 +82,17 @@ func isFile(fi os.FileInfo) bool {
 
 var errCancelled = errors.New("walk cancelled")
 
-func walk(path string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- interface{}, res chan<- interface{}) error {
+func walk(basedir, path string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- Job, res chan<- Result) error {
 	info, err := os.Lstat(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	relpath, _ := filepath.Rel(basedir, path)
+
 	if !info.IsDir() {
 		select {
-		case jobs <- Entry{Info: info, Path: path, Result: res}:
+		case jobs <- Entry{info: info, basedir: basedir, path: relpath, result: res}:
 		case <-done:
 			return errCancelled
 		}
@@ -73,18 +104,18 @@ func walk(path string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- interface{}, res chan<- i
 		return err
 	}
 
-	entries := make([]<-chan interface{}, 0, len(names))
+	entries := make([]<-chan Result, 0, len(names))
 
 	for _, name := range names {
 		subpath := filepath.Join(path, name)
 
-		ch := make(chan interface{}, 1)
+		ch := make(chan Result, 1)
 		entries = append(entries, ch)
 
 		fi, err := os.Lstat(subpath)
 		if err != nil {
 			select {
-			case jobs <- Entry{Info: fi, Error: err, Result: ch}:
+			case jobs <- Entry{info: fi, error: err, result: ch}:
 			case <-done:
 				return errCancelled
 			}
@@ -92,14 +123,14 @@ func walk(path string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- interface{}, res chan<- i
 		}
 
 		if isDir(fi) {
-			err = walk(subpath, done, jobs, ch)
+			err = walk(basedir, subpath, done, jobs, ch)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
 		} else {
 			select {
-			case jobs <- Entry{Info: fi, Path: subpath, Result: ch}:
+			case jobs <- Entry{info: fi, basedir: basedir, path: filepath.Join(relpath, name), result: ch}:
 			case <-done:
 				return errCancelled
 			}
@@ -107,7 +138,7 @@ func walk(path string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- interface{}, res chan<- i
 	}
 
 	select {
-	case jobs <- Dir{Path: path, Info: info, Entries: entries, Result: res}:
+	case jobs <- Dir{basedir: basedir, path: relpath, info: info, Entries: entries, result: res}:
 	case <-done:
 		return errCancelled
 	}
@@ -116,31 +147,30 @@ func walk(path string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- interface{}, res chan<- i
 
 // Walk sends a Job for each file and directory it finds below the paths. When
 // the channel done is closed, processing stops.
-func Walk(paths []string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	resCh := make(chan interface{}, 1)
+func Walk(paths []string, done chan struct{}, jobs chan<- Job, res chan<- Result) error {
 	defer func() {
-		close(resCh)
-		close(jobs)
 		debug.Log("pipe.Walk", "output channel closed")
+		close(res)
+		close(jobs)
 	}()
 
-	entries := make([]<-chan interface{}, 0, len(paths))
+	entries := make([]<-chan Result, 0, len(paths))
 	for _, path := range paths {
 		debug.Log("pipe.Walk", "start walker for %v", path)
-		ch := make(chan interface{}, 1)
+		ch := make(chan Result, 1)
 		entries = append(entries, ch)
-		err := walk(path, done, jobs, ch)
+		err := walk(filepath.Dir(path), path, done, jobs, ch)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
+			return err
 		}
 		debug.Log("pipe.Walk", "walker for %v done", path)
 	}
-	resCh <- Dir{Entries: entries}
-	return resCh, nil
+	res <- Dir{Entries: entries}
+	return nil
 }
 
 // Split feeds all elements read from inChan to dirChan and entChan.
-func Split(inChan <-chan interface{}, dirChan chan<- Dir, entChan chan<- Entry) {
+func Split(inChan <-chan Job, dirChan chan<- Dir, entChan chan<- Entry) {
 	debug.Log("pipe.Split", "start")
 	defer debug.Log("pipe.Split", "done")
 
diff --git a/pipe/pipe_test.go b/pipe/pipe_test.go
index 979fb85b2..1baf0b34d 100644
--- a/pipe/pipe_test.go
+++ b/pipe/pipe_test.go
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func TestPipelineWalkerWithSplit(t *testing.T) {
 				after.files++
 				m.Unlock()
 
-				e.Result <- true
+				e.Result() <- true
 
 			case dir, ok := <-dirCh:
 				if !ok {
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func TestPipelineWalkerWithSplit(t *testing.T) {
 				after.dirs++
 				m.Unlock()
 
-				dir.Result <- true
+				dir.Result() <- true
 			case <-done:
 				// pipeline was cancelled
 				return
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func TestPipelineWalkerWithSplit(t *testing.T) {
 		go worker(&wg, done, entCh, dirCh)
 	}
 
-	jobs := make(chan interface{}, 200)
+	jobs := make(chan pipe.Job, 200)
 	wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		pipe.Split(jobs, dirCh, entCh)
@@ -115,7 +115,8 @@ func TestPipelineWalkerWithSplit(t *testing.T) {
 		wg.Done()
 	}()
 
-	resCh, err := pipe.Walk([]string{*testWalkerPath}, done, jobs)
+	resCh := make(chan pipe.Result, 1)
+	err = pipe.Walk([]string{*testWalkerPath}, done, jobs, resCh)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// wait for all workers to terminate
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@ func TestPipelineWalker(t *testing.T) {
 	after := stats{}
 	m := sync.Mutex{}
 
-	worker := func(wg *sync.WaitGroup, done <-chan struct{}, jobs <-chan interface{}) {
+	worker := func(wg *sync.WaitGroup, done <-chan struct{}, jobs <-chan pipe.Job) {
 		defer wg.Done()
 		for {
 			select {
@@ -166,13 +167,13 @@ func TestPipelineWalker(t *testing.T) {
 					after.dirs++
 					m.Unlock()
 
-					j.Result <- true
+					j.Result() <- true
 				case pipe.Entry:
 					m.Lock()
 					after.files++
 					m.Unlock()
 
-					j.Result <- true
+					j.Result() <- true
 				}
 
 			case <-done:
@@ -184,14 +185,15 @@ func TestPipelineWalker(t *testing.T) {
 
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	done := make(chan struct{})
-	jobs := make(chan interface{})
+	jobs := make(chan pipe.Job)
 
 	for i := 0; i < *maxWorkers; i++ {
 		wg.Add(1)
 		go worker(&wg, done, jobs)
 	}
 
-	resCh, err := pipe.Walk([]string{*testWalkerPath}, done, jobs)
+	resCh := make(chan pipe.Result, 1)
+	err = pipe.Walk([]string{*testWalkerPath}, done, jobs, resCh)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// wait for all workers to terminate
@@ -227,7 +229,7 @@ func BenchmarkPipelineWalker(b *testing.B) {
 				// simulate backup
 				//time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
 
-				e.Result <- true
+				e.Result() <- true
 			case <-done:
 				// pipeline was cancelled
 				return
@@ -259,7 +261,7 @@ func BenchmarkPipelineWalker(b *testing.B) {
 				}
 				m.Unlock()
 
-				dir.Result <- true
+				dir.Result() <- true
 			case <-done:
 				// pipeline was cancelled
 				return
@@ -281,7 +283,7 @@ func BenchmarkPipelineWalker(b *testing.B) {
 			go fileWorker(&wg, done, entCh)
 		}
 
-		jobs := make(chan interface{}, 200)
+		jobs := make(chan pipe.Job, 200)
 		wg.Add(1)
 		go func() {
 			pipe.Split(jobs, dirCh, entCh)
@@ -290,7 +292,8 @@ func BenchmarkPipelineWalker(b *testing.B) {
 			wg.Done()
 		}()
 
-		resCh, err := pipe.Walk([]string{*testWalkerPath}, done, jobs)
+		resCh := make(chan pipe.Result, 1)
+		err := pipe.Walk([]string{*testWalkerPath}, done, jobs, resCh)
 		ok(b, err)
 
 		// wait for all workers to terminate
diff --git a/walk.go b/walk.go
index d97ab09b6..83e2db726 100644
--- a/walk.go
+++ b/walk.go
@@ -34,7 +34,12 @@ func walkTree(s Server, path string, id backend.ID, done chan struct{}, jobCh ch
 			}
 			walkTree(s, p, blob.Storage, done, jobCh)
 		} else {
-			jobCh <- WalkTreeJob{Path: p, Node: node}
+			// load old blobs
+			node.blobs, err = t.Map.Select(node.Content)
+			if err != nil {
+				debug.Log("walkTree", "unable to load bobs for %q (%v): %v", path, id.Str(), err)
+			}
+			jobCh <- WalkTreeJob{Path: p, Node: node, Error: err}
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/walk_test.go b/walk_test.go
index 0684793e4..4a0d50350 100644
--- a/walk_test.go
+++ b/walk_test.go
@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ func TestWalkTree(t *testing.T) {
 	go restic.WalkTree(server, sn.Tree.Storage, done, treeJobs)
 
 	// start filesystem walker
-	fsJobs := make(chan interface{})
-	go pipe.Walk(dirs, done, fsJobs)
+	fsJobs := make(chan pipe.Job)
+	resCh := make(chan pipe.Result, 1)
+	go pipe.Walk(dirs, done, fsJobs, resCh)
 
 	for {
 		// receive fs job
@@ -51,10 +52,10 @@ func TestWalkTree(t *testing.T) {
 		fsEntries := 1
 		switch j := fsJob.(type) {
 		case pipe.Dir:
-			path = j.Path
+			path = j.Path()
 			fsEntries = len(j.Entries)
 		case pipe.Entry:
-			path = j.Path
+			path = j.Path()
 		}
 
 		// receive tree job