Abstract: A buffer optical fiber (20) includes an optical fiber (21) comprising a core and a cladding. The optical fiber is enclosed by a plastic buffer layer (50). Interposed between the optical fiber and the buffer layer are a plurality of fibrous strands (25--25) which are strength members for the buffered optical fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the strength members are layless and as such are generally linear and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the buffered optical fiber. The buffer layer has a predetermined compressive engagement with the strength members which allows the stripability of the buffer layer from the fiber to be controlled.