Different approaches were analyzed to combine the tuneable micropore structure of carbide-derived carbons with a foam-like secondary porosity. The resulting structured catalyst supports were characterized in detail and applied in the model reaction of ethene hydrogenation. Preparation methods studied were dip-coating using polytetrafluoroethylene as binder on cellular metal structures, a chemical vapor deposition coating of the metal structures with thin carbide layers and subsequent conversion to carbide-derived carbon, and the partial or full conversion of carbide foams to carbon/carbide composites. For the binder method, optimal parameters for stable slurry preparation as well as for calcination of the slurry were obtained. It could further be demonstrated that the conversion of carbide foams into carbon/carbide composites leads to an appreciation between decreasing mechanical strength and increasing specific surface area.