Glider

A glider is a customization feature used in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8. Its main purpose is to allow the player to float safely across gaps or though tracks. Gliders affect only the weight stat.

Mario Kart 7
Gliders first appear in Mario Kart 7. They affect the weight, as usual. If players are hit with an item while gliding, they cancel their glider.

Mario Kart 8
Gliding returns in Mario Kart 8, and functions exactly like it did in Mario Kart 7.

Trivia

 * The Super Glider, Peach Parasol, Flower Glider, Paraglider/Parafoil, and Gold Glider are the only gliders to appear in both games.