I had the exact same panic when I took mine to Porto last year. It really is like a bar of soap. I tried the JJC TA-XE4 Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X-E4 and honestly it was just okay, but it rattled a bit until I added a tiny piece of electrical tape to the shoe. If you want something solid without the Fuji price, the Haoge THB-X4B Thumb Rest for Fujifilm X-E4 is a way better value. It feels like part of the body and doesnt wiggle at all. For the strap, I stick with the Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap Black. Its slim enough for the X-E4 and doesnt look bulky. Quick tip: prioritize the thumb grip first. It lets you hold the camera with one hand securely so you arent constantly death-gripping the front. That thumb rest literally saved my camera when I bumped into a tourist on a crowded bridge... definitely worth the money for the peace of mind.

Agreed on the tolerances. In my experience, Haoge THB-X4B Thumb Rest for Fujifilm X-E4 has much better CNC machining than JJC. Use a Gordy's Camera Straps Leather Wrist Strap for a secure, affordable fit.

Saw this earlier and figured I would weigh in since I have spent way too much time looking at the specs of these things. The X-E4 is definitely a challenge for ergonomics because it prioritizes that clean rangefinder look over actual grip. The main issue with going for the cheapest third-party grips is the machining tolerance. If the part that slides into the hot shoe is even a tiny bit off, it will either rattle or, worse, act like a lever that puts unnecessary torque on the camera top plate... which is a nightmare to fix. A few things to watch out for:

• Look for grips made from high-grade aluminum since it is lightweight but wont bend.
• Check if the strap uses a lug protector; metal-on-metal contact will ruin the finish on those corners fast.
• Avoid thumb rests that dont have a silicone or rubber buffer where they touch the camera body. Honestly, if you are worried about dropping it in a fountain, a wrist strap is basically mandatory. The problem with the chunky options is they add too much bulk to a pocketable camera. Finding a thin paracord or slim leather option keeps the kit small but secure. Just make sure the attachment point is rated for a few pounds... the X-E4 isnt heavy, but gravity is a jerk. The official Fuji one is basically a luxury tax for a better paint match, but some of the mid-range aftermarket brands usually nail the fit better than the bargain bin stuff.

> my logic was that a wrist strap would keep it secure but some people say the X-E4 is too small for those chunky Peak Design ones and it looks weird. Just catching up on this thread. Basically, the consensus so far is that the X-E4 is a slippery mess and cheap grips are a gamble with tolerances. Re: "Saw this earlier and figured I would weigh..." - it really comes down to how much bulk you can tolerate vs actual security. If you want to keep the profile slim but secure for under $75, here is a quick comparison of what works for this body:

• Haoge THB-X4B Thumb Rest for Fujifilm X-E4: Best CNC machining for the price. It is way more precise than the JJC. Pros: very stable and matches the Fuji finish. Cons: it is a fixed piece of metal so it can slightly crowd the shutter dial depending on your thumb size.
• Hyperion Camera Straps Handmade Acrylic: Pros: very thin cord style that doesnt use those bulky plastic anchors. Cons: no quick-release. These look way better on the X-E4 than the heavy Peak Design stuff. From a DIY perspective, you can fix a loose grip foot by putting a tiny rubber O-ring around the base before sliding it into the hot shoe. It stops the rattle and protects the paint. Also, try adding a tiny strip of GT-5000 Grip Tape for Guns and Gear to the front where your fingers rest. It adds zero bulk but makes the camera feel way more secure. You can get the Haoge, the strap, and the tape for about sixty bucks total. Enjoy Florence, its an incredible city for photography!

I'm really satisfied with how mine feels now, but the balance is tricky. Just curious tho, what lenses are you taking to Florence? If you're using the pancake, you might get away with just a strap. Heavier glass changes the center of gravity fast. Be careful with cheap universal thumb rests—they often lack the proper clearance and can put too much torque on the hot shoe plate. My setup works well now.

I spent years shooting with the older X-E series and learned the hard way that thumb rests are only half the battle. A few years back, my old X-E2 literally slipped right out of my hand during a humid day in Tokyo because my thumb lost its purchase on a cheap metal rest. Tbh it was a nightmare. When I got the X-E4, I changed tactics and picked up the SmallRig L-Shape Grip for FUJIFILM X-E4 3230. Instead of just sticking a piece of metal in the hot shoe, this adds a small handle to the front of the body. It makes the camera feel like a real tool rather than a slippery slab of tech tho. For the strap, using a VKO Soft Cotton Camera Wrist Strap worked best for me because it is super low profile and doesnt clank against the metal body. The grip is usually around $40 and the strap is under $15, so youll be way under budget. Reliability is everything when youre walking miles in a new city... the SmallRig piece just makes it feel bolted to your hand.

Exactly what I was thinking