PaulRivers where are you from? I have good raingear and sure, it does last at first, but in heavy, heavy downpour it can still get soaked through. Of course fenders won't "prevent you from getting wet." Duh. My point is that it prevents volumes of water from spraying into your face and into the important bike parts - the amount of grit and oil and other stuff on the road is not good for the bike nor do I recommend ingesting it. I personally don't like having a steady stream of water (and other stuff) projecting at my frontside and bike at speed for my 20 mile commute. I can't prevent the raindrops but the roostertail I can.