This review summarizes the results on preparation, properties and applications of fibrous catalysts, which have received extensive experimental and theoretical attention in the last decade for chemical processing and for abatement of pollutant emissions. Applications of multifunctional reactors, like catalytic filters, are also reviewed. We emphasize applications with metal or metal-coated fibers, glass and activated carbon fibers. Comparison of fibrous catalysts with powder and monoliths reveals that structured fibrous catalysts are flexible and versatile and may find many applications due to their excellent mass transfer characteristics, low pressure drop and ease of handling. They may be used in liquid-phase operation for their low diffusion resistance, and in three-phase operation for their low-pressure drop.