Applications of carbon aerogels as electrodes in supercapacitors require high surface area and simple production method. Carbon aerogels are derived via the pyrolysis of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels. In order to simplify production, subcritical drying of the RF gels is favoured, which is possible for gels prepared with high molar resorcinol to catalyst (R/C) ratios, i.e. very low catalyst concentrations. Resulting carbon aerogels consist of big microporous particles. The micropore surface area can account for more than 90% of the total surface area. The effect of thermal and chemical activation of such aerogels was investigated as a means to increase accessible surface and double-layer capacities. Aerogel structure was studied by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and nitrogen – and CO 2 – sorption. Accessibility of pores and aerogel performance as electrodes in supercapacitors was electrochemically investigated.