Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 26, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WEST MARINE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 03, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,696,473