You might want to be careful with the really cheap twenty dollar ones because they often have poor tolerances and might scratch the hot shoe. I would suggest looking at mid-range options that include a rubber buffer to protect the finish.

• Haoge THB-Q3B Metal Thumb Up Grip for Leica Q3
• Lims Design Metal Thumb Grip for Leica Q3 Make sure it feels snug since any play in the fit makes it less secure when you are out. Watch out for ones that block the rear buttons tho... dont want to lose access to your dials.

Regarding what #3 said about "Re: "Honestly i totally get the anxiety because..." - i actually had a really good experience with a budget option. I used the JJC TA-Q3 Thumbs Up Grip for Leica Q3 on my last trip and was super satisfied.

• Its 6061-T6 aluminum with a silicone lining so it dont scratch.
• The fit is very precise tho.
• I felt totally secure holding it one-handed. It works well and saved me enough for extra storage.

Honestly i totally get the anxiety because that camera is way too smooth and expensive to just wing it. A thumb grip really is a game changer for the Q3 ergonomics. It just slides into the flash hot shoe and gives you a solid anchor point to hold onto. I would suggest being very careful with the cheapest options though. Some of them fit poorly and can actually scratch your hot shoe or block the dial. Before you fly out, you might want to consider these details:

• Get one with a silicone buffer to prevent metal-on-metal scratching.
• Check that it doesnt obstruct the dials or custom buttons near the thumb rest.
• Test the tension so it doesnt slide out while you are walking. I personally think the Leica Thumb Support Q3 Brass Black 19504 is the safest bet for a perfect fit, but the Haoge THB-QB Metal Thumb Up Grip for Leica Q3 is a decent alternative if you are on a budget. Just make sure it feels secure before you go... nothing worse than a loose grip.

Re: "Honestly i totally get the anxiety because that..." - basically, avoid the cheap stuff. Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-SQ3 Black is a solid, reliable alternative if you dont want the official Leica one.

Coming back to this after a bit... look, the official one is nice but you're definitely paying a premium for the brand name. Ive been using the Oberwerth Thumb Rest for Leica Q3 for a while now and honestly I'm super satisfied with it. It feels solid and matches the finish perfectly. The reason people tell you to avoid the cheap ones isn't just snobbery. It's about the fit. A cheap grip often has poor tolerances, meaning it wiggles. That wiggle puts stress on your hot shoe rails every time you grip the camera, which can eventually loosen things up or scratch the paint. A high-end one like the IDs Design Thumb Grip for Leica Q3 is machined so precisely it feels like it's part of the frame. It basically gives you a solid anchor point so you can hold the camera with one hand without your fingers cramping up or feeling like it's gonna slip. TL;DR: Dont put a twenty dollar part on a six-thousand dollar camera. Avoid the cheap Amazon stuff and go with Oberwerth or the official Leica support if you want it to actually feel secure during your Italy trip.