EXHIBIT 23
    
    
    
    
   INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
    
     
   Shareholders and Board of Directors
   Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.:
    
   We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
   (No. 33-19804, 33-19805, 33-35309, 33-50680, 33-52073, 33-54899, 33-59325
   and 33-61285) on Form S-8 of Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. of our
   reports dated November 11, 1997, relating to the consolidated balance
   sheets of Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
   October 3, 1997 and September 27, 1996, and the related consolidated
   statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows and related
   schedule for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 3,
   1997, which reports appear or are incorporated by reference in the 1997
   Annual Report on Form 10-K of Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.


                                                        KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
   Milwaukee, Wisconsin
   December 29, 1997