Glider

A glider is a customization feature used in Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Arcade GP DX and Mario Kart 8. After driving over a blue Boost Pad with arrows, the selected glider automatically deploys, allowing players to float across gaps or over a portion of a track. Gliders only affect the weight and acceleration stat, along with the hidden air speed and air handling stat.

Mario Kart 7
Gliders first appear in Mario Kart 7. They may affect the weight or acceleration, or even the air speed and air handling. If players brake or get hit with an item while gliding, the glider retracts and the player falls to the ground.

The glider is utilized in the majority of racecourses in the game.

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
In the Arcade GP series, gliders first appear in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. They serve the same purpose as Mario Kart 7. The glider is decided depending on the Kart chosen.

Half of the courses make use of the glider in this game.

Mario Kart 8
Gliding returns in Mario Kart 8, and functions exactly like it did in Mario Kart 7, though the glider can no longer be retracted. All gliders from Mario Kart 7 return except the Beast Glider and the Swooper.

Much like in Mario Kart 7, the majority of racecourses in Mario Kart 8 utilize the glider.

Trivia

 * The Super Glider, Peach Parasol, Flower Glider, Paraglider/Parafoil, and Gold Glider are the only gliders to appear in both Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8.
 * The Cloud Glider is the only glider in the Mario Kart series to consist of balloons.
 * The Kart Mario costume in Super Mario Maker, when jumping, deploys a glider.
 * In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, when the Kart item is interacted with, a glider comes out.