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Additional Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Additional shares outstanding were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS Additional Issuances [Member] Additional Issuances [Member] Additional Issuances [Member] Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Stock compensation expense Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities: Advertising Costs Policy [Text Block] Promotion and Advertising Advertising Expense Advertising costs Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Total compensation expense Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Balance, end of year Balance, beginning of year Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Period Increase Decrease Deductions Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Americas [Member] Americas [Member] Americas [Member] Amortization Of Intangible Assets Intangible amortization expense Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Dilutive effect of stock Shares outstanding excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share By Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Apac [Member] Apac [Member] APAC Credit Facility [Member] Apparel [Member] Apparel [Member] Apparel [Member] Asia/Pacific. 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British Pounds [Member] British pounds [Member] Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Cash paid Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Business Acquisitions Business Exit Costs Lease loss accruals Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Capital expenditures accrued at year-end Capital Loss Carryforwards Expiration Dates Capital Loss Carryforwards Expiration Dates Capital loss carry forwards, expire date Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount [Member] Carrying Value Of Impaired Long Lived Assets Carrying Value Of Impaired Long Lived Assets Carrying value of long-lived assets Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash Equivalents Cash Paid Received During Period For [Abstract] Cash Paid Received During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations Cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations Change In Tax Status [Axis] Change in Tax Status [Axis] Change In Tax Status [Domain] Change in Tax Status [Domain] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies - Note 9 Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments [Line Items] Commitments [Line Items] Commitments [Line Items] Commitments [Table] Commitments [Table] Commitments [Table] Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance Amount of common stock available for issuance Common Stock Exercise Price Per Share Common Stock Exercise Price Per Share Common stock exercise price per share Common stock issued in debt-for-equity exchange Common Stock Issued In Debt For Equity Exchange Common stock issued in debt-for-equity exchange Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Value Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized shares - 285,000,000; issued shares - 169,066,161 (2012) and 168,053,744 (2011) Compensation And Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block] Employee Plans Compensation Cost Related To Profit Sharing Plan Compensation Cost Related To Profit Sharing Plan Compensation expense related to the French Profit Sharing Plan Compensation Related Costs Policy [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Expense Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Quiksilver, Inc. Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net loss and other comprehensive (loss)/income Comprehensive (loss)/income Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income Policy Policy [Text Block] Comprehensive Income or Loss Computer Equipment [Member] Computer software & equipment [Member] Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Table [Text Block] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Condensed consolidating balance sheet. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Table [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Condensed consolidating statement of operations. 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On Principal Amount Plus Accrued And Unpaid Interest Percentage of purchase price of Senior Notes Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs capitalized Debt Issuance Costs Amortization Term Debt Issuance Costs Amortization Term Debt issuance costs amortization period Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate Average borrowing rate Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Share Based Payments By Type Of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Type of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Federal Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Foreign Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit [Abstract] Deferred: Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred income tax liabilities Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit State Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards Capital loss carry forwards Deferred Tax Assets Gross Deferred income tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Net deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Deferred income taxes long-term Deferred Tax Assets Other Tax Carryforwards Tax loss carry forwards Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Allowance for doubtful accounts Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Other Accruals and other Deferred Tax Assets Unrealized Gain Loss Deferred Tax Assets Unrealized Gain Loss Unrealized gains and losses Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Valuation allowance Deferred Tax Liabilities Depreciation And Amortization Deferred Tax Liabilities Depreciation And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Deferred Tax Liabilities Intangible Assets Deferred Tax Liabilities Intangible Assets Intangibles Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer Contributions by company relating to the 401(k) Plan Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Derivative Assets Derivative assets Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities At Fair Value Net Total fair value Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments Gain Loss By Hedging Relationship By Income Statement Location By Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Reclassification From Accumulated O C I To Income Estimated Net Amount To Be Transferred Losses relating to hedging activities, net of tax Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Reclassified From Accumulated O C I Into Income Effective Portion Net Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income Effective Portion Net Gain/(loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives Derivative Instruments Gain Reclassified From Accumulated O C I Into Income Effective Portion (Loss)/gain reclassified from accumulated OCI into income Derivative Instruments Gain Recognized In Income Loss recognized in income on derivatives Derivative Instruments Loss Reclassified From Accumulated O C I Into Income Effective Portion Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into income Derivative Liabilities Accrued interest Derivative liabilities Derivative Notional Amount Notional Amount Derivatives Maturity Year Derivatives Maturity Year Maturity Derivatives Methods Of Accounting Hedging Derivatives Derivatives and Hedging Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure Accrued Liabilities Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Includes Bad Debts as Well as Returns and Allowances [Abstract] Disclosure Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Includes Bad Debts As Well As Returns And Allowances [Abstract] Disclosure - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Includes Bad Debts as Well as Returns and Allowances [Abstract] Disclosure Business Acquisitions Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Business Acquisitions Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Business Acquisitions Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Estimated Minimum Payments [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Schedule Of Future Estimated Minimum Payments [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Estimated Minimum Payments [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Schedule Of Future Minimum Lease Payments [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure C O N D E N S E D C O N S O L I D A T I N G F I N A N C I A L I N F O R M A T I O N Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure Derivative Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Derivative Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Derivative Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recognized at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Values Of Assets And Liabilities Measured And Recognized At Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recognized at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure Derivative Financial Instruments Gains And Losses On Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Outstanding Derivative Contracts that were Entered into Hedge Forecasted Purchases and Future Cash Receipts [Abstract] Disclosure Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding Derivative Contracts That Were Entered Into Hedge Forecasted Purchases And Future Cash Receipts [Abstract] Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Outstanding Derivative Contracts that were Entered into Hedge Forecasted Purchases and Future Cash Receipts [Abstract] Disclosure - Employee Plans - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Employee Plans Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Employee Plans - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fixed Assets, net - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Fixed Assets Net Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fixed Assets, net - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fixed Assets, net - Summary of Fixed Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Fixed Assets Net Summary Of Fixed Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Fixed Assets, net - Summary of Fixed Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Net Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Components Of Net Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Net Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Federal Income Tax Rates, Computed and Expected [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Schedule Of Effective Federal Income Tax Rates Computed And Expected [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Federal Income Tax Rates, Computed and Expected [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Summary Of Provision For Income Taxes From Continuing Operations [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Excluding Interest and Penalties and Related Tax Carryforwards) [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Summary Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Excluding Interest And Penalties And Related Tax Carryforwards [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Excluding Interest and Penalties and Related Tax Carryforwards) [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Inventories Net Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure Inventories Net Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure Inventories Net Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Lines Of Credit And Longterm Debt Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Estimated Fair Values of Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Lines Of Credit And Longterm Debt Estimated Fair Values Of Lines Of Credit And Longterm Debt [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Estimated Fair Values of Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Summary of Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Lines Of Credit And Longterm Debt Summary Of Lines Of Credit And Longterm Debt [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Summary of Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Summary of Principal Payments on All Long-term Debt Obligations, Including Capital Leases Due [Abstract] Disclosure Lines Of Credit And Longterm Debt Summary Of Principal Payments On All Longterm Debt Obligations Including Capital Leases Due [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt - Summary of Principal Payments on All Long-term Debt Obligations, Including Capital Leases Due [Abstract]