Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) 10-Q 18 May 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015	1-May-15
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	3-Apr-15
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Entity Registrant Name	JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC
Entity Central Index Key	788329
Current Fiscal Year End Date	8
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,792,341
Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,212,382

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Net sales	$133,111	$124,273	$203,933	$203,373
Cost of sales	81,175	75,427	124,663	124,598
Gross profit	51,936	48,846	79,270	78,775
Operating expenses:
Marketing and selling	27,645	23,938	46,144	42,910
Administrative management, finance and information systems	12,404	9,513	24,315	19,531
Research and development	4,264	3,849	8,519	7,696
Total operating expenses	44,313	37,300	78,978	70,137
Operating profit	7,623	11,546	292	8,638
Interest income	-8	-5	-30	-36
Interest expense	316	313	503	515
Other expense (income), net	495	24	-77	-135
Profit (loss) before income taxes	6,820	11,214	-104	8,294
Income tax expense	3,174	3,810	444	3,083
Net income (loss)	$3,646	$7,404	($548)	$5,211
Participating securities
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units		6		2
Weighted average common shares - Dilutive	9,725	9,649	9,703	9,611
Class A [Member]
Weighted average common shares - Basic:
Weighted average common shares - Basic	8,513	8,431	8,491	8,397
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic:
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic	$0.37	$0.75	($0.06)	$0.53
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic:
Net income (loss) per common share - Diluted	$0.36	$0.74	($0.06)	$0.52
Dividends declared per common share:
Dividends declared per common share	$0.08	$0.08	$0.15	$0.23
Class B [Member]
Weighted average common shares - Basic:
Weighted average common shares - Basic	1,212	1,212	1,212	1,212
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic:
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic	$0.34	$0.68	($0.06)	$0.48
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic:
Net income (loss) per common share - Diluted	$0.36	$0.74	($0.06)	$0.52
Dividends declared per common share:
Dividends declared per common share	$0.07	$0.07	$0.14	$0.20

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$3,646	$7,404	($548)	$5,211
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain	-5,192	122	-8,746	246
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $98, $63, $98 and $126, respectively	-13	103	72	207
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-5,205	225	-8,674	453
Total comprehensive (loss) income	($1,559)	$7,629	($9,222)	$5,664

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Abstract]
Change in pension plan, tax	$98	$63	$98	$126

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$48,906	$70,793	$48,653
Accounts receivable, net	110,817	44,452	98,484
Inventories	79,752	66,341	85,089
Deferred income taxes	8,613	8,360	8,798
Other current assets	5,764	7,604	6,384
Total current assets	253,852	197,550	247,408
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $111,439, $108,668 and $105,758, respectively	44,741	46,100	45,198
Deferred income taxes	4,195	5,353	7,679
Goodwill	14,309	14,416	21,137
Other intangible assets, net	12,088	12,518	14,748
Other assets	13,666	12,689	12,359
Total assets	342,851	288,626	348,529
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt			150
Current maturities of long term debt	359	360	418
Accounts payable	40,923	27,896	40,689
Accrued liabilities:
Salaries, wages and benefits	11,872	14,780	10,413
Accrued warranty	4,219	4,078	4,614
Income taxes payable	1,203	833	4,215
Other	17,764	12,285	16,236
Total current liabilities	76,340	60,232	76,735
Long-term debt, less current maturities	55,333	7,431	49,627
Deferred income taxes	1,221	1,133	1,125
Retirement benefits	8,388	7,804	6,110
Other liabilities	13,526	13,568	13,558
Total liabilities	154,808	90,168	147,155
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock: none issued
Common stock:
Capital in excess of par value	68,672	67,882	66,223
Retained earnings	115,541	117,573	115,141
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,104	12,778	19,819
Treasury stock at cost, shares of Class A common stock: 26,510, 11,203 and 12,523, respectively	-776	-275	-308
Total shareholders' equity	188,043	198,458	201,374
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	342,851	288,626	348,529
Class A [Member]
Common stock:
Shares issued and outstanding	441	439	438
Class B [Member]
Common stock:
Shares issued and outstanding	$61	$61	$61

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$111,439	$108,668	$105,758
Class A [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	8,792,341	8,769,426	8,752,137
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,792,341	8,769,426	8,752,137
Treasury stock, shares	26,510	11,203	12,523
Class B [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	1,212,382	1,212,382	1,212,382
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,212,382	1,212,382	1,212,382

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	($548)	$5,211
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation	5,243	4,755
Amortization of intangible assets	428	355
Amortization of deferred financing costs	61	34
Stock based compensation	967	826
Deferred income taxes	432	-591
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-67,982	-54,751
Inventories, net	-15,692	-8,707
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	17,550	12,534
Other current assets	1,499	-1,817
Other non-current assets	-61	-1,333
Other long-term liabilities	6	1,566
Other, net	255	-27
Cash used for operating activities	-57,842	-41,945
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	-4,163	-6,704
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment		1,376
Cash used for investing activities	-4,163	-5,328
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowings from short-term notes payable and revolving credit lines	48,084	42,149
Principal payments on senior notes and other long-term debt	-183	-288
Deferred financing costs paid to lenders		-34
Common stock transactions	-175	68
Dividends paid	-1,483	-1,475
Purchases of treasury stock	-501	-638
Cash provided by financing activities	45,742	39,782
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash	-5,624	450
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-21,887	-7,041
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Beginning of period	70,793	55,694
End of period	$48,906	$48,653

Basis_Of_Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation	1Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, and their results of operations for the three and six month periods then ended and cash flows for the six month periods then ended. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2014 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2014.
	Due to seasonal variations and other factors, the results of operations for the three and six months ended April 3, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the Company's full 2015 fiscal year.  See “Seasonality” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein for additional information.
	All monetary amounts, other than share and per share amounts, are stated in thousands.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	2Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $2,338, $2,665 and $3,072 as of the periods ended April 3, 2015,  October 3, 2014 and March 28, 2014, respectively. The increase in net accounts receivable to $110,817 as of April 3, 2015 from $44,452 as of October 3, 2014 is attributable to the seasonal nature of the Company's business. The determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where specific collection concerns on a receivable exist, a reserve is established to value the affected account receivable at an amount the Company believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of accounts receivable outstanding for each business unit. Uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after collection efforts have been exhausted. The Company typically does not require collateral on its accounts receivable.

Earnings_Per_Share_EPS

Earnings Per Share ("EPS")	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share ("EPS") [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share ("EPS")	3Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)
	Net income or loss per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock is computed using the two-class method.  Grants of restricted stock which receive non-forfeitable dividends are classified as participating securities and are required to be included as part of the basic weighted average share calculation under the two-class method.
	Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to cash dividends equal to 110% of all dividends declared and paid on each share of Class B common stock. The Company grants shares of unvested restricted stock in the form of Class A shares, which carry the same distribution rights as the Class A common stock described above.  As such, the undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each such class is entitled to receive.
	Basic EPS
	Basic net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss allocated to Class A common stock and Class B common stock by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding, respectively.  In periods with cumulative year to date net income and undistributed income, the undistributed income for each period is allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each such class is entitled to receive.  In periods where there is a cumulative year to date net loss or no undistributed income because distributions through dividends exceed net income, Class B shares are treated as anti-dilutive and, therefore, net losses are allocated equally on a per share basis among all participating securities.
	For the six month period ended April 3, 2015, basic loss per share for Class A and Class B shares was the same because there were no cumulative undistributed earnings on a year to date basis and basic loss per share for Class A and Class B shares has been presented using the two class method described above.
	For the three month period ended April 3, 2015 and the three and six month periods ended March 28, 2014, basic income per share for the Class A and Class B shares has been presented using the two class method and reflects the allocation of undistributed income described above.
	Diluted EPS
	Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing allocated net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units (“stock units” or “units”) and non-vested restricted stock.  Anti-dilutive stock options, units and non-vested stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.  The computation of diluted net income per share of Class A common stock assumes that Class B common stock is converted into Class A common stock.  Therefore, diluted net income per share is the same for both Class A and Class B common shares.  In periods where the Company reports a net loss, the effect of anti-dilutive stock options and units is excluded and diluted loss per share is equal to basic loss per share for both classes.
	For the six month period ended April 3, 2015, the effects of stock options and non-vested restricted stock units are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
	Stock options that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive were 9,216 and 0 for the three and six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.  Non-vested stock that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive totaled 278,659 and 319,632 for the three months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively, and 293,907 and 344,963 for the six months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.  Restricted stock units that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive were 10,088 and 0 for the three months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively, and 10,088 and 8,040 for the six months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.

StockBased_Compensation_And_St

Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans	4Stock-Based Compensation and Stock Ownership Plans
	The Company’s current stock ownership plans allow for issuance of stock options to acquire shares of Class A common stock by key executives and non-employee directors. Current plans also allow for issuance of shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units or stock appreciation rights in lieu of stock options.
	Under the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan (the only two plans where shares remain available for equity incentive awards) there were 659,774 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock available for future grant to key executives and non-employee directors at April 3, 2015.
	Stock Options
	All Company stock options have been granted at a price not less than fair market value at the date of grant and all outstanding options are currently exercisable.  Stock options generally have a term of 10 years.
	All of the Company’s stock options outstanding are fully vested, with no further compensation expense to be recorded. There were no grants of stock options during either of the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 or March 28, 2014.
	A summary of stock option activity for the six months ended April 3, 2015 related to the Company’s stock ownership plans is shown below:
		Shares	Weighted Average Exercise    Price		Aggregate Intrinsic    Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
	Outstanding and exercisable at October 3, 2014	9,216	$	17.07
	Exercised	-		-
	Cancelled	-		-
	Outstanding and exercisable at April 3, 2015	9,216		17.07	$	162	0.3
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $34.66 as of April 3, 2015, which would have been received by the option holders had those option holders exercised their stock options as of that date.
	The Company received cash proceeds from stock option exercises totaling $0 and $78 for the six month periods ending April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.  The fair value of the stock received upon exercise of such options at their date of exercise during the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was $0 and $96, respectively.
	Non-vested Stock
	All shares of non-vested stock awarded by the Company have been granted at their fair market value on the date of grant and vest either immediately or within five years after the grant date.  The fair value at date of grant is based on the number of shares granted and the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock price on the date of grant or, if the Company’s Class A shares did not trade on the date of grant, the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock price on the last preceding date on which the Company’s Class A shares traded.
	A summary of non-vested stock activity for the six months ended April 3, 2015 related to the Company’s stock ownership plans is as follows:
			Weighted Average
		Shares	Grant Price
	Non-vested stock at October 3, 2014	319,632	$	17.10
	Non-vested stock grants	38,222		30.05
	Non-vested stock cancelled	-		-
	Restricted stock vested	-79,195		11.22
	Non-vested stock at April 3, 2015	278,659		20.55
	Non-vested stock grantees may elect to reimburse the Company for withholding taxes due as a result of the vesting of shares by tendering a portion of the vested shares back to the Company. Shares tendered back to the Company were 16,915 and 24,719 during the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.
	Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to non-vested stock was $436 and $391 for the three month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively, and $839 and $748 for the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.  Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock as of April 3, 2015 was $2,418, which amount will be amortized to expense through November 2018 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.
	The fair value of restricted stock vested during the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was $2,346 and $2,961, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Units
	All restricted stock units awarded by the Company have been granted at their fair market value on the date of grant and vest within one year after the grant date.  The fair value at date of grant is based on the number of units granted and the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock trading price on the date of grant or, if the Company’s Class A shares did not trade on the date of grant, the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock trading price on the last preceding date on which the Company’s Class A shares traded.  There were 10,088 restricted stock units unvested and outstanding as of April 3, 2015 with a weighted average grant date fair value of $31.23.  There were 8,040 restricted stock units unvested and outstanding as of March 28, 2014 with a weighted average grant date fair value of $21.77.
	The Company issued 7,336 restricted stock units at a weighted average grant price of $33.40 for the three and six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and 8,040 restricted stock units at a weighted average grant price of $21.77 for the three and six month periods ended March 28, 2014.
	Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to restricted stock units was $67 for the three months ended April 3, 2015 and $128 for the six month period ended April 3, 2015.  Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to restricted stock units was $40 for the three months ended March 28, 2014 and $78 for the six month period ended March 28, 2014.  Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units as of April 3, 2015 was $260, which amount will be amortized to expense through February 2016 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.
	The Company recognized an income tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense of $191 and $164 for the three month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively, and $367 and $314 for the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.  The Company recognized an income tax benefit on exercises of stock options and the vesting of non-vested restricted stock of $343 and $9 for the three month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively, and $861 and $9 for the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.
	Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company’s shareholders have  adopted the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2009 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan which provides for the issuance of shares of Class A common stock at a purchase price of not less than 85% of the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant or at the end of the offering period, whichever is lower.
	The Company did not issue any shares under the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan during any of the three or six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014.

Pension_Plans

Pension Plans	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Pension Plans	5Pension Plans
	The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain of its U.S. employees. Retirement benefits are generally provided based on the employees’ years of service and average earnings. Normal retirement age is 65, with provisions for earlier retirement.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost related to Company sponsored defined benefit plans for the three and six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Apr		28-Mar
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Interest on projected benefit obligation		270		250		539		499
	Less estimated return on plan assets		220		244		494		488
	Amortization of unrecognized losses		86		166		171		333
		$	136	$	172	$	216	$	344

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	6Income Taxes
	For the three and six months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 the Company’s earnings (loss) before income taxes, income tax expense and effective income tax rate were as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Apr		28-Mar
	(thousands, except tax rate data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	Profit (loss) before income taxes	$	6,820	$	11,214	$	-104	$	8,294
	Income tax expense		3,174		3,810		444		3,083
	Effective income tax rate		46.5%		34.0%		-426.90%		37.2%
	The Company’s interim reporting for income taxes is based upon adjusting its effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rates in the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates.  Using this effective tax rate methodology, the Company applies an estimated annual income tax rate to its year to date ordinary earnings to derive its income tax provision for each quarter.
	The change in the Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended April 3, 2015 versus the prior year periods was primarily due to variances in income for entities with a valuation allowance.  The rate was also unfavorably impacted by discrete tax items recorded during the current quarter primarily related to additional state expense.
	Variances in income or loss for entities that have a valuation allowance, primarily in non-U.S. tax jurisdictions, will drive fluctuations in the effective tax rate.  The impact of the Company’s operations in these foreign locations is removed from overall effective tax rate methodology and recorded directly based on year to date results for the year for which no tax expense or benefit can be recognized.  The tax jurisdictions that have a valuation allowance for the periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 were:
	3-Apr		28-Mar
	2015		2014
		Japan		Japan
		France		France
		Indonesia		Indonesia
		Italy		Italy
		Netherlands		Netherlands
		New Zealand		New Zealand
		Spain		Spain
				United Kingdom
	The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its provisions for income tax contingencies in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for income taxes.  As a result, the Company may adjust the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits due to the impact of new facts and developments, such as changes to interpretations of relevant tax law, assessments from taxing authorities, settlements with taxing authorities and lapses of statutes of limitation.  The Company’s 2015 fiscal year tax expense is anticipated to include approximately $500 related to uncertain income tax positions.
	In accordance with its accounting policy, the Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits as a component of income tax expense.  The Company is projecting accrued interest of $150 related to uncertain income tax positions for the fiscal year ending October 2, 2015.
	The Company files income tax returns, including returns for its subsidiaries, with federal, state, local and foreign taxing jurisdictions.   The Company is currently undergoing income tax examinations in Italy and Germany.  As of the date of this report, the following tax years remain subject to examination by the respective tax jurisdictions:
	Jurisdiction	Fiscal Years
	United States	2011-2014
	Canada	2010-2014
	France	2010-2014
	Germany	2009-2014
	Italy	2009-2014
	Japan	2012-2014
	Switzerland	2004-2014

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	7Inventories
	Inventories at the end of the respective periods consisted of the following:
		3-Apr		3-Oct		28-Mar
		2015		2014		2014
	Raw materials	$	34,655	$	27,295	$	32,635
	Work in process		121		72		441
	Finished goods		44,976		38,974		52,013
		$	79,752	$	66,341	$	85,089

Goodwill

Goodwill	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill	8Goodwill
	The changes in goodwill during the six months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 were as follows:
		3-Apr		March 28                                  2014
		2015
	Balance at beginning of period	$	14,416	$	21,053
	Amount attributable to movements in foreign currency rates		-107		84
	Balance at end of period	$	14,309	$	21,137

Warranties

Warranties	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Warranties [Abstract]
Warranties	9Warranties
	The Company provides warranties on certain of its products as they are sold. The following table summarizes the Company's warranty activity for the six months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014.
		3-Apr		March 28                                  2014
		2015
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,078	$	5,214
	Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period		2,304		1,668
	Less current period warranty claims paid		2,163		2,268
	Balance at end of period	$	4,219	$	4,614

Contingencies

Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	10CONTINGENCIES
	The Company is subject to various legal actions and proceedings in the normal course of business, including those related to commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property and regulatory matters. The Company is insured against loss for certain of these matters. Although litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the ultimate exposure with respect to these matters cannot be ascertained, management does not believe the final outcome of any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows of the Company.

Indebtedness

Indebtedness	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Indebtedness [Abstract]
Indebtedness	11Indebtedness
	Debt was comprised of the following at April 3, 2015,  October 3, 2014, and March 28, 2014:
		3-Apr		October 3                         2014		March 28                        2014
		2015
	Term loans	$	7,608	$	7,781	$	7,965
	Revolvers		48,084		-		42,000
	Other		-		10		230
	Total debt		55,692		7,791		50,195
	Less current portion of long term debt		359		360		418
	Less short term debt		-		-		150
	Total long-term debt	$	55,333	$	7,431	$	49,627
	Term Loans
	The Company’s term loans have a maturity date of September 29, 2029.  Each term loan requires monthly payments of principal and interest. Interest on the aggregate outstanding amount of the term loans is based on the prime rate plus an applicable margin.  The interest rate in effect on the term loans was 5.25% at April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014.
	The term loans are guaranteed in part under the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program and are secured with a first priority lien on land, buildings, machinery and equipment of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and a second lien on working capital and certain patents and trademarks of the Company and its subsidiaries.  Any proceeds from the sale of secured property are first applied against the related term loans and then against the Revolvers (as defined below). The Company’s term loans include covenants related to its current ratio, debt to net worth ratio, fixed charge ratio, minimum net worth and capital expenditures.
	The aggregate term loan borrowings are subject to a pre-payment penalty.  The penalty is currently 5% of the pre-payment amount, and the penalty will decrease by 1% annually on the anniversary date of the effective date of the loan agreement.
	Revolvers
	On September 16, 2013, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit facility with PNC Bank National Association and certain other lenders.  This credit facility consists of a Revolving Credit Agreement dated September 16, 2013 among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, PNC Bank National Association, as lender and as administrative agent, and the other lenders named therein (the “Revolving Credit Agreement” or “Revolver”).  The Revolver has an expiration date of September 16, 2018 and provides for borrowing of up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $90,000 with an accordion feature that gives the Company the option to increase the maximum seasonal financing availability subject to the conditions of the Revolving Credit Agreement and subject to the approval of the lenders.  The Revolver imposes a seasonal borrowing limit such that borrowings may not exceed $60,000 from the period June 30th through October 31st of each year under the agreement.
	The interest rate on the Revolver resets each quarter and is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin.  The applicable margin ranges from 1.25 percent to 2.00 percent and is dependent on the Company’s leverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period.  The interest rate on the Revolver at each of April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was approximately 1.4%.
	The Revolver is secured with a first priority lien on working capital assets and certain patents and trademarks of the Company and its subsidiaries and a second priority lien on land, buildings, machinery and equipment of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.  Under the terms of the Revolver, the Company is required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants.  The Revolving Credit Agreement limits asset or stock acquisitions to no more than $20,000 in the event that the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio is greater than 2.5 times.  No limits are imposed if the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio is less than 2.5 times and the remaining borrowing availability under the Revolver is greater than $10,000 at the time of the acquisition.  The Revolving Credit Agreement limits the amount of restricted payments (primarily dividends and repurchases of common stock) made during each fiscal year.  The Company may declare, and pay, dividends in accordance with historical practices, but in no event may the aggregate amount of all dividends or repurchases of common stock exceed $10,000 in any fiscal year.  The Revolving Credit Agreement restricts the Company’s ability to incur additional debt and includes maximum leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants.
	Other Borrowings
	The Company had no unsecured revolving credit facilities at its foreign subsidiaries as of April 3, 2015 or March 28, 2014.  The Company utilizes letters of credit primarily as security for the payment of future claims under its workers’ compensation insurance, which totaled $646 and $811 at April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, respectively.  The Company had no unsecured lines of credit as of April 3, 2015 or March 28, 2014.
	Aggregate scheduled maturities of long-term debt as of April 3, 2015, for the remainder of fiscal 2015 and subsequent fiscal years, were as follows:
	Fiscal Year
	2015			$	177
	2016				368
	2017				389
	2018				48,495
	2019				432
	Thereafter				5,831
	Total			$	55,692
	Balances carried on the Revolver not in excess of the seasonal borrowing limit may be repaid at the Company’s discretion at any time through the maturity date.  Accordingly, this balance has been classified as long term on our accompanying financial statements.
	Interest paid for the three month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was $256 and $273, respectively.  Interest paid for the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was $412 and $411, respectively.
	Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt as of April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 approximated its carrying value.

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	12Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The following disclosures describe the Company’s objectives in using derivative instruments, the business purpose or context for using derivative instruments, and how the Company believes the use of derivative instruments helps achieve the stated objectives.  In addition, the following disclosures describe the effects of the Company’s use of derivative instruments and hedging activities on its financial statements.
	Foreign Exchange Risk
	The Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen, Hong Kong dollars and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company has operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations, as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, increase or decrease, accordingly. Approximately 17% of the Company’s revenues for the six month period ended April 3, 2015 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 8% were denominated in euros, 6% were denominated in Canadian dollars and 2% were denominated in Hong Kong dollars, with the remaining revenues denominated in various other foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can cause unexpected financial losses or cash flow needs.
	The Company may mitigate a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the use of foreign currency forward contracts.  Foreign currency forward contracts enable the Company to lock in the foreign currency exchange rate to be paid or received for a fixed amount of currency at a specified date in the future. The Company may use such foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates on financial instruments and known commitments, including commitments for inventory purchases, denominated in foreign currencies. As of April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, the Company held no foreign currency forward contracts.
	Interest Rate Risk
	The Company operates in a seasonal business and experiences significant fluctuations in operating cash flow as working capital needs increase in advance of the Company’s primary selling and cash generation season, and decline as accounts receivable are collected and cash is accumulated or debt is repaid.  The Company’s goal in managing its interest rate risk is to maintain a mix of floating rate and fixed rate debt such that permanent non-equity capital needs are largely funded with long term fixed rate debt and seasonal working capital needs are funded with short term floating rate debt or cash and cash equivalents on hand.
	The Company held no interest rate swap contracts during the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 and as of April 3, 2015, the Company was unhedged with respect to interest rate risk on its floating rate debt.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	13Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A fair value hierarchy has been established based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable.
		· Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These are typically obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets or liabilities.
		· Level 2 - Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These are typically obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments.
		· Level 3 - Unobservable inputs, where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions of the data that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, based on the best information available in the circumstances.
	The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximated their fair values at April 3, 2015,  October 3, 2014 and March 28, 2014 due to the short term maturities of these instruments. When indicators of impairment are present, the Company may be required to value certain long-lived assets such as property, plant, and equipment, and other intangibles at their fair value.
	Valuation Techniques
	Rabbi Trust Assets
	Rabbi trust assets are classified as trading securities and are comprised of marketable debt and equity securities that are marked to fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.  The rabbi trust assets are used to fund amounts the Company owes to certain officers and other employees under the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan.  The mark to market adjustments are recorded in “Other expense (income), net” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets, the Company estimates the future discounted cash flows of the businesses to which such goodwill and intangibles relate.  When estimated future discounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the net assets and related goodwill, an impairment test is performed to measure and recognize the amount of the impairment loss, if any.  In determining estimated future cash flows, the Company makes assumptions regarding anticipated financial position, future earnings, and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets.  This calculation is highly sensitive to changes in key assumptions and could result in a future impairment charge.  The Company will continue to evaluate whether circumstances and events have changed to the extent that they require the Company to conduct an interim test of goodwill.  In particular, if the Company’s business units do not achieve short term revenue and gross margin goals, an interim impairment test may be triggered which could result in a goodwill impairment charge in future periods.
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets measured at fair value as of April 3, 2015:
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust assets	$	11,893	$	-	$	-	$	11,893
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets measured at fair value as of October 3, 2014:
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust assets	$	10,933	$	-	$	-	$	10,933
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets measured at fair value as of March 28, 2014:
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust assets	$	10,322	$	-	$	-	$	10,322
	The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements
	of Operations for the three months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was:
		Location of (income) loss	Three Months Ended
		recognized in Statement of	3-Apr		28-Mar
		Operations	2015		2014
	Rabbi trust assets	Other expense (income), net	$	-331	$	-116
	The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements
	of Operations for the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2013 was:
		Location of (income) loss	Six Months Ended
		recognized in Statement of	3-Apr		28-Mar
		Operations	2015		2014
	Rabbi trust assets	Other expense (income), net	$	-449	$	-508
	There were no assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition for either of the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 or March 28, 2014.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	14New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance under ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,  which supersedes existing revenue recognition requirements and provides a new comprehensive revenue recognition model.  The underlying principle of the new standard requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU will be adopted by the Company during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance also requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented.  ASU 2015-03 is effective for the first interim period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Management is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2015-03 will have, but does not anticipate a significant impact to the Company's financial position as a result of this change.

Segments_Of_Business

Segments Of Business	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Segments Of Business [Abstract]
Segments Of Business	15Segments of Business
	The Company conducts its worldwide operations through separate business units, each of which represents major product lines. Operations are conducted in the United States and various foreign countries, primarily in Europe, Canada and the Pacific Basin. The Company had no single customer that represented more than 10% of its total net sales during either of the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 or March 28, 2014.
	Net sales and operating profit include both sales to customers, as reported in the Company's accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and interunit transfers, which are priced to recover cost plus an appropriate profit margin. Total assets represent assets that are used in the Company's operations in each business segment at the end of the periods presented.
	A summary of the Company’s operations by business unit is presented below:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Oct
		2015		2014		2015		2014		2014
	Net sales:
	Marine Electronics:
	Unaffiliated customers	$	89,226	$	81,810	$	132,755	$	129,983
	Interunit transfers		112		60		126		72
	Outdoor Equipment:
	Unaffiliated customers		12,149		10,964		18,522		19,342
	Interunit transfers		8		10		17		15
	Watercraft:
	Unaffiliated customers		13,893		13,202		19,341		18,627
	Interunit transfers		13		26		20		50
	Diving
	Unaffiliated customers		17,708		18,192		33,137		35,250
	Interunit transfers		205		249		290		515
	Other / Corporate		135		105		178		171
	Eliminations		-338		-345		-453		-652
	Total	$	133,111	$	124,273	$	203,933	$	203,373
	Operating profit (loss):
	Marine Electronics	$	11,130	$	13,748	$	9,543	$	16,080
	Outdoor Equipment		1,070		573		725		385
	Watercraft		-		-395		-1,026		-2,031
	Diving		-369		605		-705		754
	Other / Corporate		-4,208		-2,985		-8,245		-6,550
		$	7,623	$	11,546	$	292	$	8,638
	Total assets (end of period):
	Marine Electronics					$	170,510	$	158,189	$	111,411
	Outdoor Equipment						35,053		43,363		32,033
	Watercraft						32,255		33,381		20,367
	Diving						63,830		78,548		64,933
	Other / Corporate						41,203		35,048		59,882
						$	342,851	$	348,529	$	288,626

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	16ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) by component, net of tax, for the three months ended April 3, 2015 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at January 2, 2015	$	14,870	$	-5,561	$	9,309
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-5,192		-		-5,192
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		85		85
	Tax effects		-		-98		-98
	Balance at April 3, 2015	$	9,678	$	-5,574	$	4,104
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the six months ended April 3, 2015 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at October 3, 2014	$	18,424	$	-5,646	$	12,778
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-8,746		-		-8,746
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		170		170
	Tax effects		-		-98		-98
	Balance at April 3, 2015	$	9,678	$	-5,574	$	4,104
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at October December 27, 2013	$	23,913	$	-4,319	$	19,594
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		122		-		122
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		166		166
	Tax effects		-		-63		-63
	Balance at March 28, 2014	$	24,035	$	-4,216	$	19,819
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the six months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at September 27, 2013	$	23,789	$	-4,423	$	19,366
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		246		-		246
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		333		333
	Tax effects		-		-126		-126
	Balance at March 28, 2014	$	24,035	$	-4,216	$	19,819
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the three month period ended April 3, 2015 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of loss		$	85		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-98		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	-13
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the six months ended April 3, 2015 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:
	Amortization of loss		$	170		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-98		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	72
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the three months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:
	Amortization of loss		$	166		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-63		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	103
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the six months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:
	Amortization of loss		$	333		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-126		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	207

Basis_Of_Presentation_Policy

Basis Of Presentation (Policy)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014, and their results of operations for the three and six month periods then ended and cash flows for the six month periods then ended. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2014 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2014.
	Due to seasonal variations and other factors, the results of operations for the three and six months ended April 3, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the Company's full 2015 fiscal year.  See “Seasonality” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein for additional information.
	All monetary amounts, other than share and per share amounts, are stated in thousands.

StockBased_Compensation_And_St1

Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock Option Activity
		Shares	Weighted Average Exercise    Price		Aggregate Intrinsic    Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
	Outstanding and exercisable at October 3, 2014	9,216	$	17.07
	Exercised	-		-
	Cancelled	-		-
	Outstanding and exercisable at April 3, 2015	9,216		17.07	$	162	0.3
Schedule of Non-Vested Stock Activity
			Weighted Average
		Shares	Grant Price
	Non-vested stock at October 3, 2014	319,632	$	17.10
	Non-vested stock grants	38,222		30.05
	Non-vested stock cancelled	-		-
	Restricted stock vested	-79,195		11.22
	Non-vested stock at April 3, 2015	278,659		20.55

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Apr		28-Mar
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Interest on projected benefit obligation		270		250		539		499
	Less estimated return on plan assets		220		244		494		488
	Amortization of unrecognized losses		86		166		171		333
		$	136	$	172	$	216	$	344

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Summary Of Earnings Before Tax, Tax Expense and Effective Tax Rate
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Apr		28-Mar
	(thousands, except tax rate data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	Profit (loss) before income taxes	$	6,820	$	11,214	$	-104	$	8,294
	Income tax expense		3,174		3,810		444		3,083
	Effective income tax rate		46.5%		34.0%		-426.90%		37.2%
Summary Of Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowances
	3-Apr		28-Mar
	2015		2014
		Japan		Japan
		France		France
		Indonesia		Indonesia
		Italy		Italy
		Netherlands		Netherlands
		New Zealand		New Zealand
		Spain		Spain
				United Kingdom
Summary of Income Tax Examinations
	Jurisdiction	Fiscal Years
	United States	2011-2014
	Canada	2010-2014
	France	2010-2014
	Germany	2009-2014
	Italy	2009-2014
	Japan	2012-2014
	Switzerland	2004-2014

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories
		3-Apr		3-Oct		28-Mar
		2015		2014		2014
	Raw materials	$	34,655	$	27,295	$	32,635
	Work in process		121		72		441
	Finished goods		44,976		38,974		52,013
		$	79,752	$	66,341	$	85,089

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Goodwill [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill
		3-Apr		March 28                                  2014
		2015
	Balance at beginning of period	$	14,416	$	21,053
	Amount attributable to movements in foreign currency rates		-107		84
	Balance at end of period	$	14,309	$	21,137

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Warranties [Abstract]
Schedule of Warranties
		3-Apr		March 28                                  2014
		2015
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,078	$	5,214
	Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period		2,304		1,668
	Less current period warranty claims paid		2,163		2,268
	Balance at end of period	$	4,219	$	4,614

Indebtedness_Tables

Indebtedness (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Indebtedness [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt
		3-Apr		October 3                         2014		March 28                        2014
		2015
	Term loans	$	7,608	$	7,781	$	7,965
	Revolvers		48,084		-		42,000
	Other		-		10		230
	Total debt		55,692		7,791		50,195
	Less current portion of long term debt		359		360		418
	Less short term debt		-		-		150
	Total long-term debt	$	55,333	$	7,431	$	49,627
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt
	Fiscal Year
	2015			$	177
	2016				368
	2017				389
	2018				48,495
	2019				432
	Thereafter				5,831
	Total			$	55,692

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets measured at fair value as of April 3, 2015:
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust assets	$	11,893	$	-	$	-	$	11,893
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets measured at fair value as of October 3, 2014:
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust assets	$	10,933	$	-	$	-	$	10,933
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets measured at fair value as of March 28, 2014:
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust assets	$	10,322	$	-	$	-	$	10,322
Schedule of the Location and Amount of Income or Loss Recognized for Changes in Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements
	of Operations for the three months ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2014 was:
		Location of (income) loss	Three Months Ended
		recognized in Statement of	3-Apr		28-Mar
		Operations	2015		2014
	Rabbi trust assets	Other expense (income), net	$	-331	$	-116
	The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements
	of Operations for the six month periods ended April 3, 2015 and March 28, 2013 was:
		Location of (income) loss	Six Months Ended
		recognized in Statement of	3-Apr		28-Mar
		Operations	2015		2014
	Rabbi trust assets	Other expense (income), net	$	-449	$	-508

Segments_Of_Business_Tables

Segments Of Business (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Segments Of Business [Abstract]
Segments of Business
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Apr		28-Mar		3-Oct
		2015		2014		2015		2014		2014
	Net sales:
	Marine Electronics:
	Unaffiliated customers	$	89,226	$	81,810	$	132,755	$	129,983
	Interunit transfers		112		60		126		72
	Outdoor Equipment:
	Unaffiliated customers		12,149		10,964		18,522		19,342
	Interunit transfers		8		10		17		15
	Watercraft:
	Unaffiliated customers		13,893		13,202		19,341		18,627
	Interunit transfers		13		26		20		50
	Diving
	Unaffiliated customers		17,708		18,192		33,137		35,250
	Interunit transfers		205		249		290		515
	Other / Corporate		135		105		178		171
	Eliminations		-338		-345		-453		-652
	Total	$	133,111	$	124,273	$	203,933	$	203,373
	Operating profit (loss):
	Marine Electronics	$	11,130	$	13,748	$	9,543	$	16,080
	Outdoor Equipment		1,070		573		725		385
	Watercraft		-		-395		-1,026		-2,031
	Diving		-369		605		-705		754
	Other / Corporate		-4,208		-2,985		-8,245		-6,550
		$	7,623	$	11,546	$	292	$	8,638
	Total assets (end of period):
	Marine Electronics					$	170,510	$	158,189	$	111,411
	Outdoor Equipment						35,053		43,363		32,033
	Watercraft						32,255		33,381		20,367
	Diving						63,830		78,548		64,933
	Other / Corporate						41,203		35,048		59,882
						$	342,851	$	348,529	$	288,626

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Changes in Accumulated OCI by Component, Net of Tax
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at January 2, 2015	$	14,870	$	-5,561	$	9,309
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-5,192		-		-5,192
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		85		85
	Tax effects		-		-98		-98
	Balance at April 3, 2015	$	9,678	$	-5,574	$	4,104
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the six months ended April 3, 2015 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at October 3, 2014	$	18,424	$	-5,646	$	12,778
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-8,746		-		-8,746
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		170		170
	Tax effects		-		-98		-98
	Balance at April 3, 2015	$	9,678	$	-5,574	$	4,104
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at October December 27, 2013	$	23,913	$	-4,319	$	19,594
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		122		-		122
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		166		166
	Tax effects		-		-63		-63
	Balance at March 28, 2014	$	24,035	$	-4,216	$	19,819
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the six months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
	(thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unamortized Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plans		Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance at September 27, 2013	$	23,789	$	-4,423	$	19,366
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		246		-		246
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-		333		333
	Tax effects		-		-126		-126
	Balance at March 28, 2014	$	24,035	$	-4,216	$	19,819
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated OCI
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of loss		$	85		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-98		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	-13
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the six months ended April 3, 2015 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:
	Amortization of loss		$	170		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-98		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	72
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the three months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:
	Amortization of loss		$	166		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-63		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	103
	The reclassifications out of AOCI for the six months ended March 28, 2014 were as follows:
						Statement of Operations
	(thousands)					Presentation
	Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:
	Amortization of loss		$	333		Cost of sales / Operating expense
	Tax effects			-126		Income tax expense
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	207

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$2,338	$2,665	$3,072
Accounts Receivable, Net	$110,817	$44,452	$98,484

Earnings_Per_Share_EPS_Details

Earnings Per Share ("EPS") (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Percentage Of Cash Dividends On Class A Common Stock Relative TO Class B Common Stock			110.00%
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount			9,216	0
Non-vested Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	278,659	319,632	293,907	344,963
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	10,088	0	10,088	8,040

StockBased_Compensation_And_St2

Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Oct. 03, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Available for Grant Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	659,774		659,774
Tax Benefit on Stock Based Compensation Expense	$191	$164	$367	$314
Tax Benefit (Expense) on Option Exercises and Stock Vesting	343	9	861	9
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration Period of Stock Options			10 years
Number of Stock Options Granted During Period			0	0
Company's closing stock price	$34.66		$34.66
Cash Received from Stock Option Exercises			0	78
Fair Value Of Shares Received Option Exercise			0	96
Non-vested Stock, Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			0 years 0 months 0 days
Non-vested Stock, Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			5 years
Non-vested Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Tendered for Tax Withholding on Vesting of Restricted Shares			16,915	24,719
Unvested units	278,659		278,659		319,632
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$20.55		$20.55		$17.10
Non-Vested Stock Grants, shares			38,222
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Grants			$30.05
Stock-Based Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures	436	391	839	748
Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Non-vested Stock	2,418		2,418
Fair Value Of Vested Restricted Stock			2,346	2,961
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			1 year
Unvested units	10,088	8,040	10,088	8,040
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$31.23	$21.77	$31.23	$21.77
Non-Vested Stock Grants, shares			7,336	8,040
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Grants			$33.40	$21.77
Stock-Based Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures	67	40	128	78
Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Non-vested Stock	$260		$260
2009 Johnson Outdoors Inc Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares Issued	0	0	0	0
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Minimum Percentage of Fair Market Value Stock Can Be Purchased			85.00%

StockBased_Compensation_And_St3

Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans (Schedule of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Apr. 03, 2015
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable, Beginning Balance		9,216
Number of Stock Options Exercised
Number of Stock Options Cancelled
Number of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable, Ending Balance	9,216	9,216
Weighted Average Exercise Price for Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable, Beginning Balance		$17.07
Weighted Average Exercise Price for Stock Options Exercised
Weighted Average Exercise Price for Stock Options Cancelled
Weighted Average Exercise Price for Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable, Ending Balance	$17.07	$17.07
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$162	$162
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		3 months 18 days

StockBased_Compensation_And_St4

Stock-Based Compensation And Stock Ownership Plans (Schedule of Non-Vested Stock Activity) (Details) (Non-vested Stock [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Non-vested Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-Vested Stock, Beginning Balance, shares	319,632
Non-Vested Stock Grants, shares	38,222
Restricted Stock Vested, shares	-79,195
Non-Vested Stock, Ending Balance, shares	278,659
Non-Vested Stock, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Grant Price	$17.10
Non-Vested Stock Grants, Weighted Average Grant Price	$30.05
Restricted Stock Vested, Weighted Average Grant Price	$11.22
Non-Vested Stock, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Price	$20.55

Pension_Plans_Schedule_of_Net_

Pension Plans (Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Service cost
Interest on projected benefit obligation	270	250	539	499
Less estimated return on plan assets	220	244	494	488
Amortization of unrecognized loss	86	166	171	333
Total net periodic benefit cost	$136	$172	$216	$344

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (Projected [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 02, 2015
Projected [Member]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	$500
Unrecognized Tax Benefit, Interest on Income Tax Expense	$150

Income_Taxes_Summary_Of_Earnin

Income Taxes (Summary Of Earnings Before Tax, Tax Expense and Effective Tax Rate) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Profit (loss) before income taxes	$6,820	$11,214	($104)	$8,294
Income tax expense	$3,174	$3,810	$444	$3,083
Effective income tax rate	46.50%	34.00%	-426.90%	37.20%

Income_Taxes_Summary_Of_Tax_Ju

Income Taxes (Summary Of Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowances) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Japanese Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	Japan	Japan
French Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	France	France
Indonesian Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	Indonesia	Indonesia
Italian Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	Italy	Italy
Netherlands Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	Netherlands	Netherlands
New Zealand Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	New Zealand	New Zealand
Spain Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance	Spain	Spain
United Kingdom Tax Jurisdictions [Member]
Tax Jurisdictions Of Entities With Valuation Allowance		United Kingdom

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Income

Income Taxes (Summary of Income Tax Examinations) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2011
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014
Canada Revenue Agency [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2010
Canada Revenue Agency [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014
Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, France [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2010
Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, France [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014
Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2009
Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, Italy [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2009
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, Italy [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014
National Tax Agency, Japan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2012
National Tax Agency, Japan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014
Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2004
Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax Years Remaining Subject to Examination	2014

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	$34,655	$27,295	$32,635
Work in process	121	72	441
Finished goods	44,976	38,974	52,013
Total Inventories	$79,752	$66,341	$85,089

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period	$14,416	$21,053
Amount attributable to movements in foreign currency rates	-107	84
Goodwill, Balance at end of period	$14,309	$21,137

Warranties_Details

Warranties (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Warranties [Abstract]
Product Warranty Accrual, Balance at beginning of period	$4,078	$5,214
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period	2,304	1,668
Less current period warranty claims paid	2,163	2,268
Product Warranty Accrual, Balance at end of period	$4,219	$4,614

Indebtedness_Narrative_Details

Indebtedness (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Interest Paid	$256	$273	$412	$411
Foriegn Subsidiaries [Member]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	0	0	0	0
Revolvers [Member]
Annual Seasonal Pay Down Duration			June 30th through October 31st of each year under the agreement
Initiation Date			16-Sep-13
Expiration Date			16-Sep-18
Maximum Amount of Asset or Stock Aquisition			20,000
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	2.5		2.5
Maximum Amount of Dividends Paid or Repurchases of Common Stock			10,000
Line of Credit Facility, Dividend Restrictions			The Revolving Credit Agreement limits the amount of restricted payments (primarily dividends and repurchases of common stock) made during each fiscal year. The Company may declare, and pay, dividends in accordance with historical practices, but in no event may the aggregate amount of all dividends or repurchases of common stock exceed $10,000 in any fiscal year
Line of Credit Facility, Asset Restrictions			Under the terms of the Revolver, the Company is required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants. The Revolving Credit Agreement limits asset or stock acquisitions to no more than $20,000 in the event that the Company's consolidated leverage ratio is greater than 2.5 times. No limits are imposed if the Company's consolidated leverage ratio is less than 2.5 times and the remaining borrowing availability under the Revolver is greater than $10,000 at the time of the acquisition
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms			The Revolving Credit Agreement restricts the Company's ability to incur additional debt and includes maximum leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral			The Revolver is secured with a first priority lien on working capital assets and certain patents and trademarks of the Company and its subsidiaries and a second priority lien on land, buildings, machinery and equipment of the Company's domestic subsidiaries.
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			The interest rate on the Revolver resets each quarter and is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 1.25 percent to 2.00 percent and is dependent on the Company's leverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period
Applicable margin, percentage	1.40%	1.40%
Revolvers [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Applicable margin, percentage			2.00%
Revolvers [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Applicable margin, percentage			1.25%
Revolvers Borrowing Capacity Seasonal [Member]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	60,000		60,000
Revolvers Borrowing Capacity Standard [Member]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	90,000		90,000
Unsecured Line Of Credit [Member]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	0	0	0	0
Term Loans [Member]
Debt maturity date			29-Sep-29
Interest Rate at Period End	5.25%	5.25%	5.25%	5.25%
Pre Payment Penalty Percent			5.00%
Annual Decrease Of Pre Payment Penalty			1.00%
Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding	$646	$811	$646	$811

Indebtedness_Schedule_of_Debt_

Indebtedness (Schedule of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indebtedness [Abstract]
Term Loans	$7,608	$7,781	$7,965
Revolvers	48,084		42,000
Other		10	230
Total Debt	55,692	7,791	50,195
Less current portion of long term debt	359	360	418
Less short term debt			150
Total long-term debt	$55,333	$7,431	$49,627

Indebtedness_Schedule_of_Matur

Indebtedness (Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indebtedness [Abstract]
2015	$177
2016	368
2017	389
2018	48,495
2019	432
Thereafter	5,831
Total	$55,692

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed1

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
	contract	contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Percent Of Revenues In Foreign Currency	17.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	0	0
Euro [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Percent Of Revenues In Foreign Currency	8.00%
Other Foreign Currencies [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Percent Of Revenues In Foreign Currency	1.00%
Canadian Dollars [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Percent Of Revenues In Foreign Currency	6.00%
Hong Kong, Dollars
Derivative [Line Items]
Percent Of Revenues In Foreign Currency	2.00%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Rabbi trust assets	$11,893	$10,933	$10,322
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Rabbi trust assets	11,893	10,933	10,322
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Rabbi trust assets
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Rabbi trust assets

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of the Location and Amount of Income or Loss Recognized for Changes in Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details) (Rabbi trust assets (Assets) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Rabbi trust assets (Assets) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Changes in fair value, (income) loss	($331)	($116)	($449)	($508)

Segments_of_Business_Narrative

Segments of Business (Narrative) (Details) (Customer Concentration Risk [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of customers that represent more than 10% of total net sales	0	0

Segments_of_Business_Schedule_

Segments of Business (Schedule Of Operations By Business Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Oct. 03, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$133,111	$124,273	$203,933	$203,373
Operating profit (loss)	7,623	11,546	292	8,638
Total assets	342,851	348,529	342,851	348,529	288,626
Marine Electronics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	89,226	81,810	132,755	129,983
Operating profit (loss)	11,130	13,748	9,543	16,080
Total assets	170,510	158,189	170,510	158,189	111,411
Outdoor Equipment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	12,149	10,964	18,522	19,342
Operating profit (loss)	1,070	573	725	385
Total assets	35,053	43,363	35,053	43,363	32,033
Watercraft [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	13,893	13,202	19,341	18,627
Operating profit (loss)		-395	-1,026	-2,031
Total assets	32,255	33,381	32,255	33,381	20,367
Diving [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	17,708	18,192	33,137	35,250
Operating profit (loss)	-369	605	-705	754
Total assets	63,830	78,548	63,830	78,548	64,933
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	135	105	178	171
Operating profit (loss)	-4,208	-2,985	-8,245	-6,550
Total assets	41,203	35,048	41,203	35,048	59,882
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	-338	-345	-453	-652
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Marine Electronics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	112	60	126	72
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Outdoor Equipment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	8	10	17	15
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Watercraft [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	13	26	20	50
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Diving [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$205	$249	$290	$515

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Changes in Accumulated OCI by Component, Net of Tax) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
BEGINNING BALANCE	$9,309	$19,594	$12,778	$19,366
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-5,192	122	-8,746	246
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	85	166	170	333
Tax effects	-98	-63	-98	-126
ENDING BALANCE	4,104	19,819	4,104	19,819
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
BEGINNING BALANCE	14,870	23,913	18,424	23,789
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-5,192	122	-8,746	246
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Tax effects
ENDING BALANCE	9,678	24,035	9,678	24,035
Unamortized Loss On Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
BEGINNING BALANCE	-5,561	-4,319	-5,646	-4,423
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	85	166	170	333
Tax effects	-98	-63	-98	-126
ENDING BALANCE	($5,574)	($4,216)	($5,574)	($4,216)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassifications Out of Accumulated OCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income tax expense	($3,174)	($3,810)	($444)	($3,083)
Net income (loss)	3,646	7,404	-548	5,211
Unamortized Loss On Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of Sales / Operating Expense	85	166	170	333
Income tax expense	-98	-63	-98	-126
Net income (loss)	($13)	$103	$72	$207