Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)/income	$ (62,842)	$ (25,317)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	25,027	27,125
Stock-based compensation	11,223	12,400
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,528	419
Asset impairments	8,500	415
Equity in earnings	1,058	501
Non-cash interest expense	1,838	1,964
Deferred income taxes	184	9,295
Other adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income	(268)	(712)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	56,585	17,711
Inventories	(22,103)	(18,522)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(41,124)	(42,961)
Net cash used in operating activities	(18,394)	(17,682)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(28,644)	(34,329)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(9,117)
Net cash used in investing activities	(28,644)	(43,446)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on lines of credit	6,157	8,464
Payments on lines of credit	(8,860)	(12,326)
Borrowings on long-term debt	103,134	91,977
Payments on long-term debt	(45,702)	(47,356)
Stock option exercises and employee stock purchases	3,832	779
Net cash provided by financing activities	58,561	41,538
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(5,453)	(10,986)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,070	(30,576)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	41,823	109,753
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	47,893	79,177
Quiksilver, Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)/income	(63,524)	(27,725)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,124	1,138
Stock-based compensation	11,223	12,400
Equity in earnings	21,364	(16,190)
Non-cash interest expense	785	732
Other adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income	126	(138)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other operating assets and liabilities	(582)	(1,825)
Net cash used in operating activities	(29,484)	(31,608)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,971)	(1,559)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,971)	(1,559)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Stock option exercises and employee stock purchases	3,832	779
Intercompany	29,407	32,394
Net cash provided by financing activities	33,239	33,173
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(216)	6
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	324	17
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	108	23
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)/income	(21,716)	(14,892)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,014	9,082
Provision for doubtful accounts	(1,056)	(1,416)
Asset impairments	6,323	415
Equity in earnings	(687)	1,733
Non-cash interest expense	675	888
Other adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income	(17)	12
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	55,239	25,895
Inventories	(23,280)	(14,290)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(20,416)	(11,645)
Net cash used in operating activities	4,079	(4,218)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(7,601)	(14,094)
Net cash used in investing activities	(7,601)	(14,094)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on long-term debt	49,000	62,500
Payments on long-term debt	(36,200)	(35,256)
Intercompany	(8,719)	(8,330)
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,081	18,914
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	559	602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	135	1,331
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	694	1,933
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)/income	712	31,220
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	14,889	16,905
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,584	1,835
Asset impairments	2,177
Equity in earnings	1,058	501
Non-cash interest expense	378	344
Deferred income taxes	184	9,295
Other adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income	(377)	(586)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	1,346	(8,184)
Inventories	2,186	(3,695)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(20,126)	(29,491)
Net cash used in operating activities	7,011	18,144
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(17,072)	(18,676)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(9,117)
Net cash used in investing activities	(17,072)	(27,793)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on lines of credit	6,157	8,464
Payments on lines of credit	(8,860)	(12,326)
Borrowings on long-term debt	54,134	29,477
Payments on long-term debt	(9,502)	(12,100)
Intercompany	(20,688)	(24,064)
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,241	(10,549)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(5,453)	(10,986)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,727	(31,184)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	41,364	108,405
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	47,091	77,221
Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)/income	21,686	(13,920)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings	(20,677)	14,457
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	$ (1,009)	$ (537)