Financial Highlights - Financial Highlights for the Limited Partner Classes (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Class A [Member]
Per Unit operating performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the period):
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	$ (59.66)	$ 69.03	$ (67.66)	$ (63.72)
Net investment loss	(7.89)	(7.87)	(24.19)	(25.53)
Increase (decrease) for the period	(67.55)	61.16	(91.85)	(89.25)
Net asset value per Unit, beginning of period	984.55	934.04	1,008.85	1,084.45
Net asset value per Unit, end of period	$ 917.00	$ 995.20	$ 917.00	$ 995.20
Ratios to average Limited Partners' Capital:
Net investment loss	(3.30%)	(3.20%)	(3.30%)	(3.30%)
Partnership expenses before expense reimbursements	3.30%	3.20%	3.30%	3.30%
Expense reimbursements	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Partnership expenses after expense reimbursements	3.30%	3.20%	3.30%	3.30%
Total return	(6.90%)	6.50%	(9.10%)	(8.20%)
Class B [Member]
Per Unit operating performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the period):
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	$ (62.42)	$ 71.81	$ (70.77)	$ (66.24)
Net investment loss	(6.98)	(6.92)	(21.40)	(22.46)
Increase (decrease) for the period	(69.40)	64.89	(92.17)	(88.70)
Net asset value per Unit, beginning of period	1,029.43	971.77	1,052.20	1,125.36
Net asset value per Unit, end of period	$ 960.03	$ 1,036.66	$ 960.03	$ 1,036.66
Ratios to average Limited Partners' Capital:
Net investment loss	(2.90%)	(2.80%)	(2.80%)	(2.80%)
Partnership expenses before expense reimbursements	2.90%	2.80%	2.80%	2.80%
Expense reimbursements	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Partnership expenses after expense reimbursements	2.90%	2.80%	2.80%	2.80%
Total return	(6.70%)	6.70%	(8.80%)	(7.90%)
Class C [Member]
Per Unit operating performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the period):
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	$ (65.31)	$ 74.72	$ (73.91)	$ (68.85)
Net investment loss	(5.97)	(5.89)	(18.42)	(19.12)
Increase (decrease) for the period	(71.28)	68.83	(92.33)	(87.97)
Net asset value per Unit, beginning of period	1,076.37	1,011.04	1,097.42	1,167.84
Net asset value per Unit, end of period	$ 1,005.09	$ 1,079.87	$ 1,005.09	$ 1,079.87
Ratios to average Limited Partners' Capital:
Net investment loss	(2.40%)	(2.30%)	(2.40%)	(2.30%)
Partnership expenses before expense reimbursements	2.40%	2.30%	2.40%	2.30%
Expense reimbursements	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Partnership expenses after expense reimbursements	2.40%	2.30%	2.40%	2.30%
Total return	(6.60%)	6.80%	(8.40%)	(7.50%)
Class D [Member]
Per Unit operating performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the period):
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	$ (66.79)	$ 76.23	$ (75.76)	$ (70.25)
Net investment loss	(5.43)	(5.35)	(16.57)	(17.27)
Increase (decrease) for the period	(72.22)	70.88	(92.33)	(87.52)
Net asset value per Unit, beginning of period	1,100.53	1,031.16	1,120.64	1,189.56
Net asset value per Unit, end of period	$ 1,028.31	$ 1,102.04	$ 1,028.31	$ 1,102.04
Ratios to average Limited Partners' Capital:
Net investment loss	(2.00%)	(2.00%)	(2.00%)	(2.00%)
Partnership expenses before expense reimbursements	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Expense reimbursements	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Partnership expenses after expense reimbursements	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Total return	(6.60%)	6.90%	(8.20%)	(7.40%)
Class Z [Member]
Per Unit operating performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the period):
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	$ (71.50)	$ 80.92	$ (81.06)	$ (74.43)
Net investment loss	(3.62)	(3.55)	(11.06)	(11.46)
Increase (decrease) for the period	(75.12)	77.37	(92.12)	(85.89)
Net asset value per Unit, beginning of period	1,176.70	1,094.32	1,193.70	1,257.58
Net asset value per Unit, end of period	$ 1,101.58	$ 1,171.69	$ 1,101.58	$ 1,171.69
Ratios to average Limited Partners' Capital:
Net investment loss	(1.30%)	(1.30%)	(1.30%)	(1.30%)
Partnership expenses before expense reimbursements	1.30%	1.30%	1.30%	1.30%
Expense reimbursements	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Partnership expenses after expense reimbursements	1.30%	1.30%	1.30%	1.30%
Total return	(6.40%)	7.10%	(7.70%)	(6.80%)

Polaris Futures Fund L.P. 10-Q