Thanks so much for all the replies.

Looks like consensus is fenders are good for keeping the rider comfortable but not totally necessary for keeping parts in good order. I always take a full change of clothes to work in paniers - and the back rack keeps water from hitting me - and I hate hate hate fenders that you have to constantly mess with.

That being said I rode an hour to work today - post-rain along the lakefront and got SO much crud all over my bike - so would like to know what's the most maintenance free full fender I can get?! I'm riding a Soma ES with 28 Conti 4Seasons - with 32 studs in the winter.

Looks like these SKS Longboards would do the trick? Is there any reason to spend over a hundred for Portlands?