I don't have fenders on my bike, never really had a need for them and I rode year 'round last year. I do however have a rear rack which shields some road spray from going up my back if the roads are wet. Ironically I still wore a backpack for 80% of my 20-mile one way commutes. Trying to convince myself to bike commute now but 45 miles one way is simply too much, the 2hr a day drive is tiring enough I can't imagine riding at least 8hrs/day.