CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING [Member]	ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL [Member]	RETAINED EARNINGS [Member]	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Member]	COST OF SHARES IN TREASURY [Member]	NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST [Member]
Beginning balance at Jan. 02, 2010		$ 62,764	$ 81,021	$ 706,439	$ (42,806)	$ (325,385)
Total Wolverine World Wide, Inc. equity	543,897	63,976	108,286	789,684	(41,123)	(376,926)
Stock-based compensation expense			11,543
Net earnings attributable to Wolverine World Wide, Inc.	104,470			104,470
Common stock acquired for treasury (2012 - 354,411 shares; 2011 - 1,895,893 shares; 2010 - 1,832,193 shares)						(52,190)
Common stock issued under stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures (2012 - 1,496,214 shares; 2011 - 1,043,019 shares; 2010 - 1,212,463 shares)		1,212
Other comprehensive income (loss)	106,153				1,683
Amounts associated with common stock issued under stock incentive plans:
Proceeds over par value			6,289
Income tax benefits			4,094
Cash dividends declared (2012 - $0.48 per share; 2011 - $0.48 per share; 2010 - $0.44 per share)				(21,225)
Issuance of performance-based shares (2012 - 197,304 shares; 2011 - 206,148 shares; 2010 - 215,027 shares)			5,197
Foreign currency translation	(2,929)
Issuance of treasury shares (2012 - 20,766 shares; 2011 - 24,354 shares; 2010 - 25,829 shares)			142			649
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	543,897
Ending balance at Jan. 01, 2011	543,897	63,976	108,286	789,684	(41,123)	(376,926)
Total Wolverine World Wide, Inc. equity	578,650	65,019	138,585	889,765	(71,029)	(443,690)
Stock-based compensation expense			14,074
Net earnings attributable to Wolverine World Wide, Inc.	123,287			123,287
Common stock acquired for treasury (2012 - 354,411 shares; 2011 - 1,895,893 shares; 2010 - 1,832,193 shares)						(67,388)
Common stock issued under stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures (2012 - 1,496,214 shares; 2011 - 1,043,019 shares; 2010 - 1,212,463 shares)		1,043
Other comprehensive income (loss)	93,381				(29,906)
Amounts associated with common stock issued under stock incentive plans:
Proceeds over par value			4,919
Income tax benefits			4,071
Cash dividends declared (2012 - $0.48 per share; 2011 - $0.48 per share; 2010 - $0.44 per share)				(23,206)
Issuance of performance-based shares (2012 - 197,304 shares; 2011 - 206,148 shares; 2010 - 215,027 shares)			7,550
Foreign currency translation	(11,290)
Issuance of treasury shares (2012 - 20,766 shares; 2011 - 24,354 shares; 2010 - 25,829 shares)			(315)			624
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	578,650
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	578,650	65,019	138,585	889,765	(71,029)	(443,690)
Total Wolverine World Wide, Inc. equity	642,392	66,515	173,915	946,766	(87,542)	(457,262)	1,305
Stock-based compensation expense			14,988
Net earnings attributable to Wolverine World Wide, Inc.	80,686			80,686			78
Common stock acquired for treasury (2012 - 354,411 shares; 2011 - 1,895,893 shares; 2010 - 1,832,193 shares)						(14,121)
Common stock issued under stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures (2012 - 1,496,214 shares; 2011 - 1,043,019 shares; 2010 - 1,212,463 shares)		1,496
Other comprehensive income (loss)	64,251				(16,513)
Amounts associated with common stock issued under stock incentive plans:
Proceeds over par value			9,556
Income tax benefits			10,983
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest							1,225
Cash dividends declared (2012 - $0.48 per share; 2011 - $0.48 per share; 2010 - $0.44 per share)				(23,685)
Issuance of performance-based shares (2012 - 197,304 shares; 2011 - 206,148 shares; 2010 - 215,027 shares)			(197)
Foreign currency translation	5,684						2
Issuance of treasury shares (2012 - 20,766 shares; 2011 - 24,354 shares; 2010 - 25,829 shares)						549
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	643,697
Ending balance at Dec. 29, 2012	$ 642,392	$ 66,515	$ 173,915	$ 946,766	$ (87,542)	$ (457,262)	$ 1,305