My parents sent me money for fathers day. I am trying to decide the best use of that money.

Option 1: I am really wanting to get some fenders for my commuting bike. probably could buy them outright and have some left over.
Option 2: I am also looking at upgrading my panniers to some Ortlieb waterproof panniers. not enough to buy the panniers but a good chunk towards them

which would you put the money towards first?

Fenders.

I thought they'd be stupid, but they're quite useful.

Honestly.

Fenders. Plus waterproof bags are an unnecessary expense if you have bags you like. Plastic bags work great at keeping your stuff dry and organized.

I agree fenders. If the Ortliebs are only an upgrade, then you already have panniers, but don't have fenders.

i already have some panniers that are only waterproof if i put everything in ziploc bags. So yes panniers would be an upgrade vs something I dont have. My wife saw the check and said there is your fender money. She votes with you guys.

do you leave fenders on year round?

I would get the ortliebs, but I already bought a set of fenders

If I didn't have fenders and had a less waterproof set of panniers, I would start with a nice set of panniers. You can always get some large ziplock bags or similar to keep stuff dry inside your panniers till you feel like upgrading to the ortliebs later.

another option, is to dress yourself in plastic bags instead of buying fenders and buy the panniers.

Or somehow mount the panniers like a fender?

I leave fenders on year round - it is too much of a hassle to put them on every time it rains. They are light enough that I don't really notice them when I am riding, and I don't mind how they look.

brilliant idea i think i will research some fenders. i am running 700x 28 tires for commuting but have 700x 30 cyclocross tires that i might use touring on Great Allegheny passage.

can i get a set of fenders that will fit both and look nice?

Actually, cutting the old panniers up into a fender link shape could be interesting.

old panniers are not waterproof so cutting into fender shape would defeat purpose.

to be fair, it doesn't matter if they're waterproof. they're just shielding you/equipment from offspray. I doubt that water would pass through them at a significant rate to not work as fenders.

you could make fenders out of anything (cardboard/paper plates/ old cotton t-shirt) if they possessed the tensile strength to be supported over a frame made from coat hangers.

Fenders for the win! I love my Soma Fab ones they come in all colors so it is a nice accent to the commuter. My landlord even commented how much more visible the red fenders are. Eurotrip Fenders Road | SOMA Fabrications I run 32s with the Road version.

Then use the extra money to go and buy a cheap dry bag to put in the current pannier. That is all I do and it works great. Cheaper and less durable option is a plastic bag. I feel that the ortliebs are too expensive and bulky. But my 10 year old MEC panniers and cheap dry bag are much cheaper (and last long)!

Another option is to simply line your bags with a garbage bag. Leave the fenders permanently on your commuter. Also get full length fenders with mudflaps like these planet bike cascadia fenders: Amazon.com : Planet Bike 7056-5 Cascadia Fender Set Hybrid/Touring Black (45mm wide) : Bicycle Fenders : Sports & Outdoors

I use them on my commuter and they work very well.

well I had some $ from Fathers day. I bought some Planet Bike fenders and will have to install them sometime. I also replaced my helmet it is a 2007 model and my straps are stiff as boards and the pads are worn out.

I bought some waterproof dry bags from eBarf, $6 for a 10L bag (got a couple); they are very convenient for keeping my stuff dry and easy to pull out and carry around with their "handle".

I do the same (though my buckle just broke). I have a coated nylon version I use for summer/ non-wet season riding. I like being able to just pull it out and go, leaving the pannier hanging to dry.

I've seen many recommendations at BF to leave fenders on year round, because they not only keep water from spraying, they also contain stirred up road dust, which keeps your frame & components cleaner; in particular the chain, which will experience longer life with full-time fenders.

Also, I've noticed that my rear rim is always significantly dirtier than my front, and the only explanation I've ever gotten for that is that it is picking up stuff thrown up by the front wheel, which fenders would eliminate. (Note, even though I've voted for you to buy fenders, I don't have any fenders)

Fenders for the following reasons, all of which I have encountered on my short commute:

1.) Dog (I hope) feces.
2.) Dog (I hope) urine.
3.) Vomit.
4.) Garbage water.

If you only commute on nice days on a bike path, fenders may be less of a requirement.

Fenders since I ride by a few fish processing plants.

One day a truck going up hill must have had a liquid and fish remain load and there were heads scattered all the way up the hill, or at least the level reached below the tip angle. It was one of grossest rides I have been on, even though it was a few hundred meters. Dodging fish viscera up hill and being unable to avoid the odor and fearing the gulls.

Yikes!

I vote for fenders, their practical.